LOUISA FLORENCE BURTON (HALL)
It is with profound sadness that the family announce the passing of Lou Burton at Misericordia Place, Winnipeg, on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at the age of 98 years, 2 months shy of her 99th birthday. She was predeceased by her parents, Isaac and Frances Hall, her husband Stan Burton, her siblings, Lizzie, Will, Bert, Joyce, Cis, and Phil, as well as her special niece, Jean Babchuk. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Ann (Bill) Musgrave of Lloydminster, Rob (Jean) Burton of Winnipeg, and Richard (Ann) Burton of Saskatoon, and her grandchildren: Scott and Lori Musgrave (Katie, Ben and Emilee), Sandra and Trevor Thorpe (Sarah and Isaac), Kevin and Karen Musgrave (Taylor and Garrett), all of Lloydminster, Robert and Meighan Burton (Grace and Claire), and Andrew Burton, of Winnipeg, David Burton and Susan Wollison (Abigail and Mackenzie) of Beamsville, Ont., Cathy Burton and Scott Barron (Lily and Aidan) of Calgary, and Tom Burton and Alexis McPherson (Asher) of Vancouver.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law George Bolton, sister-in-law Phyllis Burton and many nieces and nephews in Canada and England.
Lou was born in Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead, Sussex, England on June 26, 1914. Her father was a coachman for Captain John Christie, on whose estate the Glyndebourne Opera Company performs. Lou left school at age 14 to go into service herself and worked at several estates in the kitchen, including the home of the Spencer-Churchill family. When World War 2 broke out, she enlisted in the army and worked as a cook for all the enlisted men. It was there that she met a young Canadian soldier, Stan, and they were married in 1942. At the end of the war, she was one of the many English war brides who made the long journey to Canada with a two year old in tow. After an arduous train journey from Halifax, she finally arrived in Moose Jaw, which would be her home for over 50 years. She used to recount how excited she became when they announced they were at the Man/Sask border, and got her toddler all dressed and ready to disembark, only to realize there was another 8 hours to go!
Lou was active in Trinity United Church, the Hi-C youth group, the Princess Patricia Auxiliary, the White Shrine, and the Eastern Star. She volunteered for many years at the Valley View Centre, a home for the mentally challenged. She and Stan were members of the Foster Parents plan for many years. She enjoyed being a support for her family and provided delicious meals, enough food to feed an army! Family and friends used to tease her, as one of her sayings was “Take two if you want one”! She was a talented knitter, and also enjoyed needlepoint, and her children and grandchildren have all been recipients of her handicrafts. She valued education and was proud of the fact that all her children and grandchildren had post-secondary education.
After Stan passed away in 1993, she relocated to Lloydminster until 1999, until she required more care. She moved to Winnipeg and was one of the first residents of Heritage House Supportive Housing. In 2003 she moved to Misericordia Place.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage House, and Misericordia Place for the years of exceptional care. You are all truly angels and very caring people. Lou also enjoyed many Sunday brunches at The Nook and excellent service from Victor at Handi Helper Transit.
Cremation has taken place, and her ashes will be interred in Moose Jaw at a later date.
Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in her memory can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice, if so desired.