Anne Lester nee Eleen

January 8, 1933 – January 4, 2020

Anne Lester (nee Eleen) died early in the morning on January 4, 2020 in Selkirk, Manitoba.  She was born on January 8, 1933 in Glenella, MB, growing up there and in Arden, MB. She is predeceased by her parents Pearl and William Eleen, sister Olga (Max Wolko), brother John Eleen, brother-in-law Clayton Thompson, sisters and brothers-in-law Luba Eleen, Ellen Whyte (Walter), Vernon Lee, Marina Chapel, Bert Trainor, and Glen Lester (Betty).  She is survived by her sister Polly Thompson, and sisters-in-law Anne Thomson, and Helen Trainor.  Also surviving her is her beloved husband Lorne Lester, daughters Dr. Wanda Lester (Martin Chapman), Tanya Lester, and Louella Lester. And grandson Luke Lester.

Anne married Lorne in 1952.  She completed a teaching term at Riverside Hutterite Colony, near Arden, while they resided in Victoria Beach, MB. While at home with her young children, she tutored many students in French, which was mandatory to enter university at that time. She felt her most useful accomplishment was having taught primary students at various schools to read using phonics. She was proud to have been elected as a school trustee, along with nine men, on the Selkirk School Board.  All her life she was a staunch supporter of the CCF, and later the NDP.  She was elected in Pine Falls to be the president of the NDP’s Lac du Bonnet constituency after Bert Berthlette retired. Anne and Lorne ran a store in Traverse Bay and she was also the postmistress for fourteen years.  They retired to live near East Selkirk, in the Walkleburg district, where they enjoyed helping to bring up their grandson, Luke, for his first twelve years.

Anne was an avid reader and every visitor to her home received a suitable book from her large collection. She donated books to the old hospital where they were sold to help raise funds for the MIR machine and over 100 books to the Red River Place Library.  She loved sewing and made quilts for each of her children as they left home.  After retirement, she and Lorne grew a large garden. They played Scrabble and Cribbage, while enjoying music; when there was no important sporting event was on TV.  They were both proud to have helped all of their daughters attend university.

Thank you to the staff at Red River Place for taking fine care of Anne. And Mom wanted to say a special thank you to Tommy Douglas, the Father of Medicare for all Canadians.

Anne’s body has finally released her and she has completed her life cycle. Her journey is at an end, and at her request, there will be no formal service. The family will be scattering her cremated remains at a future date.