Obituary of Winelda Curtis

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Winelda Curtis (nee Cheasley) of Victoria Landing, Brandon, Manitoba.

Winelda was born March 7th, 1925 in Alexander, Manitoba, the eldest child of Earl and Annie Cheasley. She died December 2, 2024, three months shy of her 100th birthday. To the end she had a keen mind, following current events, embracing technology, and most importantly staying connected with family and friends.

She attended grades 1 through 8 at the one-room Assiniboine School, moving on to Alexander School, and completing grade 12 at Brandon College.  With an extreme shortage of teachers during the war years, she began her teaching career near Souris, Manitoba after a six week teacher training course at University of Manitoba. She subsequently completed "normal" school, obtaining her teaching certificate in 1945. Winelda taught elementary school for more than 25 years primarily at Linden Lanes in the Brandon School Division.  We joked that she never graduated from grade four.  

She married Ernest (Ernie) Curtis July 5th, 1949 and instantly became a wife, mother to two young boys, and partner in running a small general store and post office in Moorepark, Manitoba.  Over the next seven years, the family grew by three, two boys and one girl. When Winelda returned to teaching full time in 1962 in Brandon she joined other trailblazers in demonstrating that women could successfully balance raising a family and having a career.  

Winelda was a life long learner and educator.  She especially enjoyed teaching mathematics and geography. She tutored high school students, taught knitting at the community College, and took night courses to increase her teaching credentials. She was a well-loved teacher who strived to create a classroom which was inclusive, and where every child could realize their full potential. She felt that fostering a love of learning was critical to academic success. Shopping with Winelda was always a slow process as she stopped frequently to greet former students and inquire about their lives.  Her teaching colleagues were her most cherished friends.

Winelda retired in 1983, remaining active through volunteering, playing bridge, travelling and along with her husband Ernie,  enjoying their rapidly growing brood of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Following the death of her husband Ernie, she spent 16 years living at Lion's Manor and nearly 8 years at Victoria Landing.  She organized and participated in a wide range of activities at both Lions and Victoria Landing.  She received wonderful care at Victoria Landing, in large part because she developed close relationships with many of her caregivers, showing genuine interest in their lives and stories.

She is survived by three sons and a daughter:  Dave Taylor of Saskatoon (spouse Shirl, children Doug, Bruce, Linda); Harry Curtis of Ottawa (spouse Donna, children Heather, Kathryn); Ron Curtis of Neepawa (spouse Lynne, children Jodi, Cory) and Ellen Carter (spouse Jim, children Michael, Danny) of Lethbridge.  

She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years Ernest, as well as by two sons Charles Curtis of Portland (spouse Nancy, children Tracey, Patrick), and Ken Curtis of Brandon (spouse Diane, children Dana, Alissa). She was also predeceased by her three siblings: Jack Cheasley of Alexander, and George Cheasley and Jean Stephens of Calgary.

She is survived by 27 great and great-great grand children, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Winelda's life will be held at the Clarion Hotel, 3130 Victoria Ave., Brandon, MB on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of donations, please perform an act of kindness in Winelda's memory.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" Dr. Suess