Olive Ilene (Fawcett) Waddell

Olive was born to Earl and Olive ( Umphrey) Fawcett on March 10, 1922 at home in Stoughton, Sask. She was #4 of their eight children. She took her Grades 1 to 8 in Stoughton when the family moved to Rainy River, Ont and she completed her Grades 9 to 12. After graduation, she travelled to Port Arthur to start her nurse’s training. During her training she became sick and it was during her convalescence that she met a minister-in-training named Gordon Waddell whom she eventually married in April of 1943. Rev. Gordon Waddell was ordained that June and their first home was in Red Lake, Ont. where she completed her St. John’s First Aid Course. Olive was now officially the “minister’s wife” and became his partner/secretary for the next 46 years until his death in 1989. During their years together they lived in Goodlands, MB, Pilot Mound, MB, Roblin, MB, Portage la Prairie, MB with the final calling taking them to Newdale, MB.  Olive divided her time between Explorer groups, CGIT groups, Sunday School teacher, Music and Choir director, Bible Study groups, UCW, Swim instructor, Camp leader’s Training, and raising three children – George 1946, Ruth 1948 and Jim 1959.

After retiring from Church duties, Olive and Gordon opened a community Center/Coffee Shop/Senior Center in the former Choy’s Café in Newdale where she ran the kitchen providing breakfasts, coffee and lunches and treated many with her wonderful baking.

After Gordon’s passing, Olive continued to live in the Manse in Newdale and was an active volunteer with the many organizations in Newdale such as Health Auxiliary, UCW, Seniors groups, Horticultural Society, etc. She was into “participaction” and was often seen taking long walks, hiking and riding her bike.

When she was diagnosed with age related Macular Degeneration in 2003 and eventually declared legally blind by the CNIB, she gave up her home and yard in Newdale and moved to an apartment in Hamiota, MB in 2005, moving into Lilac Residence in 2010 and then moved for her final care years into Birch Lodge Personal Care Home in 2013. She made many new good friends and acquaintances through her activities in Senior and UCW groups in Hamiota in the 12 years she resided there.

Of her generation, Olive was predeceased by husband Gordon, Parents - (Earl and Olive (Umphrey) Fawcett, siblings - Audrey (Fawcett) and Mac McKee, Al and Marg (Howe) Fawcett, Buda (Fawcett)and Allan Burton / David Douglas, Dorothy (Fawcett) and John Winters, Helen (Fawcett) and Stan Lavender, Earl Fawcett, Rubyna (Fawcett) Wood. In-laws – John and Nellie (Ellen Young) Waddell, siblings – Stan and Phyllis (Sharpe) Waddell, Irene (Waddell) and Ivan Storey, Florence (Waddell) and Jim Janick, Mabel (Waddell) and Howard Lowry, Lewis Waddell,  Marjorie (Waddell) and Clifford Dunn, Reuben and Eva (Dunn) Waddell, Bob and Frances(Hancharik) Waddell, Victor and Muriel (Hunter) Waddell, Bliss Waddell, Wilf and Joan (Deadman) Waddell.

Left to morn her passing are  her children George and Dodie Waddell, Ruth (Waddell) and Terry Wareham, Jim Waddell, brother-in law Ralph Wood and sister-in-law Vi (Evans) Fawcett along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and personal friends.

 Olive will be buried in the Sperling Community Cemetery beside her husband Gordon Waddell. May she REST IN PEACE.  A Graveside Service for Family & Friends will be held at the Sperling Community Cemetery, Sperling, MB on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 2:00pm with reception following in the Sperling Community Arena/Hall. 

When family ties are broken and loved ones have to part, it leaves a wound that never heals, and also a broken heart. We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

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