December 19, 2020
Myrna West, beloved wife and mother has passed away on December 19, 2020.
Myrna was the first born of Bert and Vera Nichol in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Growing up on the family farm, she had a classic prairie childhood and even rode her pony to school. As a young person, she won many awards for her singing in local talent shows.
However, farm life wasn't for her, so Myrna went to Brandon to study nursing. While there she met her future husband Gale Winterburn (a pilot in the Canadian Airforce).
As a military family, Myrna and Gale moved with their children, Dawn and Grant Winterburn, a few times, but finally settled in Comox BC. and enjoyed the welcoming and outdoor activity culture of the Comox Valley.
Myrna worked at St. Joseph's General Hospital, Comox, first as a surgical nurse in the operating room and then later as an Infection Control Practitioner at St. Joseph's. Myrna was so passionate about nursing, and that she shared her passion with daughter Dawn who has followed in her mother's footsteps. Myrna was equally passionate about cooking, attending cooking schools around the world. She loved putting on dinner parties for her friends and family.
She Myrna and Gale divorced in 1985. Subsequently, she and Roger West met . They were married in a private ceremony at home in 1995. Myrna and Roger lived an active, fun-filled life. They travelled to Europe to ski, wine tasting in France and golfing in Scotland. They also volunteered together, performing eye surgeries in places like the Marshall Islands, Laos, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa. When they retired, Myrna and Roger took up farming cranberries in Oregon. Putting her cooking passion and her retirement passion together, she made cranberries bars that were delicious!
In her last years, Myrna developed dementia. Despite this unfortunate diagnosis, she remained her sweet self in so many ways. Despite the difficulties, Roger looked after her well, becoming a skilled chef and an expert baker, the roles Myrna had once performed. Her dependence on others was not always easy for her or for the family, but she was still quick to smile, and have a laugh with her loved ones.
She passed away peacefully in her own home, surrounded by her family. Following Myrna's wishes, there will be no memorial ceremony; she has asked to have her ashes scattered on her childhood farm.