Ethel ((Duncan) (nee Kelly)) Armstrong

Ethel Alberta Armstrong (Duncan) (nee Kelly) passed away peacefully at Birch Lodge Personal Care Home, Hamiota on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 94 years of age

Ethel was born to Albert and Eveline Kelly in Hamiota on Nov 3, 1931. Growing up in Hamiota, she was a proud Kelly girl, along with her 3 sisters Jean, Norah and Lillian. They were well known for their singing abilities, entertaining at many concerts, functions, church and talent shows.

Ethel married Harvey Duncan on Feb 19, 1949 in Hamiota. They raised five children, Linda, Kevin, Lauree, Sue-Anne, and Nancy. Ethel was a proud nurse, taking her training in Winnipeg from 1967-1969. She won the Best Bedside Nurse Award and the General Proficiency Award. She worked many years in Hamiota, Shoal Lake, Brandon, and Sioux Valley. She was very busy with her family at sporting events and musical events. She was so proud of all of them. Church was very important. She led the church choir and taught Sunday School. She loved singing, all genres of music, baking, reading, sketching, and having fun. Her worldly knowledge, memory and sense of humour were extraordinary to the end.

In 1989, Ethel married Barrie Armstrong. They resided on Barrie's farm in Cardale, MB. She embraced farm life and welcomed step children Debbie, Neal, Donna, and Rae into her family. Barrie and Ethel also lived in Hamiota, and wintered many years in Weslaco, TX. Summers were spent camping and fishing.

Ethel dearly loved and doted on her 7 granchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. She was affectionately known to them as Grandma Apple. She truly was a Great Great Grandma Apple.

Ethel is lovingly remembered by her son Kevin (Yvonne) Duncan, daughters Linda (Bill) Robinson, Sue-Anne (Craig) Price, Nancy Strachan;

grandchildren Marcie (Brent) Reid, Scott (Jill) Robinson, Travis Duncan, Cody (Jenna) Gidney, Melissa (Warren) Daly, Jesse (Marissa) Gidney, Kelly (Ryan) Main, Sean (Ashleigh) Higgins, Tyler (Serena) Strachan, Joel (Michael) Strachan;

great grandchilren Kellen (Justin), Travis, Aiden, Halle, Yeva, Colton, Max, Iloh, Cache, Rio, Remi, Aiden, Kierra, Alex, Viella, Bennett, Colbie, Jiedda, Emery, Austyn, Blake, Navy;

great great granddaughter Scotland.

sister Norah Mathison;

step-children Debbie, Neal, Donna, Rae and their families;

brother in-law Joe Belczewski;

and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ethel was predeceased by her precious daughter Lauree in 1972; dearly loved son in-law Dallas Strachan in 2011; parents Albert and Eveline Kelly; husband Barrie Armstrong; and sisters Jean McConnell and Lillian Belczewski; and brothers in-law Verne McConnell and Jim Mathison.

Celebration of life was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Interment was held at the Hamiota Cemetery at 12:30pm. Service & Reception was held at the Hamiota Community Centre, Hamiota at 2:00pm. If you were not able to join the family, there is a video recording of the service available below, along with the photo video shown following Ethel's service.

For those so desiring, donations may be made in Ethel’s memory to the Birch Lodge PCH Activity Fund, payable to Prairie Mountain Health, Box 751, Hamiota, MB, R0M 0T0 or to the Hamiota District Health Centre Foundation, Box 671, Hamiota, MB, R0M 0T0.

Messages of condolence and/or candles may be shared using the Tribute Wall link.

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