Winnifred Faith Leslie-Hanson

On October 13, 2023, Winnie passed away at the Maple Creek Hospital, after a courageous fight with cancer, at the age of 88. She was very loved and will be missed terribly by all who knew her.

Winnie was born on November 15, 1934, in Calgary, Alberta to Roy and Margaret Metcalfe. She was the seventh of nine Metcalfe children (3 boys and 6 girls). When Winnie was ten years old her parents moved the family to Comox, B.C. on Vancouver Island. Winnie spent her youth swimming and boating along the coastline of the island. After high school, on July 24, 1953, Winnie joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Leading Airwoman and was trained as a Flight Control Operator at the Radar Training School at RCAF Station Clinton, ON. She was posted in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Lac St. Denis, QC. Her role was watching radar screens for aircraft, referred to as being a “scope dope”, which required high levels of concentration. Winnie was honorably released from the RCAF on July 23, 1956, and moved to Maple Creek, SK where her sister Rosemary Anderson was living. She took a job for a short time, with the telephone company in Maple Creek as a switchboard operator.

On November 8, 1956, Winnie married Cypress Hills rancher James “Jim” Leslie. They lived at the Leslie Ranch in the Four Mile Coulee of the Cypress Hills and raised three sons, Rick, Rob, and Harv.  Winnie and Jim retired to Maple Creek in 1986. They spent 38 happy married years together until Jim’s passing in 1995. On February 1, 1997, Winnie married Elmer “Bud” Hanson from Eastend, and lived at the Hanson Ranch at Eastend, SK and later they retired to Maple Creek, SK. Winnie and Bud enjoyed 17 years of fishing, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends until Bud’s passing in 2014.

Winnie worked at Fort Walsh National Historic Site from 1974 to 1979, was a Totally Tropical Interiors sales representative, and worked part-time at Hutchings & Sharp Western Wear, Work World, and the Southwest Saskatchewan Visitor Centre. She belonged to the SW Saskatchewan Oldtimers Association (Past Honourary President), Merry Battlers Ladies Club, Maple Creek Art Club, Maple Creek Red Hat Ladies, was active in the Saint Mary the Virgin Anglican Church parish community, and part of a Canasta card group.

Family, friends, and gardening were the cornerstones of Winnie’s life. From the time she was a small child she was outgoing, sociable and a force to be reckoned with when she made her mind up about something. She had blue eyes that sparkled and her whole face lit up when she smiled. Winnie was kind, generous and compassionate. She loved her friends and family unconditionally and treasured time spent in the company of others with genuine interest and appreciation. Her garden and many pots of flowers were her labour of love and she truly had a “green thumb”.

Winnie was predeceased by her parents Roy and Margaret Metcalfe; eight siblings Donald, Joan, Harold, Rosemary, Joyce, Grace, Robert, and Patricia; two husbands Jim Leslie and Bud Hanson; great-grandson Ulises Roy Rivera; and her beloved canine companion Pepper.

Winnie is survived by her sons Rick (Lavone), Rob (Eileen), and Harv (Jacki); grandchildren Kirsten Leslie, Fawn Leslie, Kaitlin (Uli) Rivera, Dylan Leslie, and Quinn Leslie; great-grandchildren Alma Rivera, and Noah Rivera; brothers and sisters in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly.

To honor Winnie's memory a celebration of her life will be held on November 2, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Saint Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, 302 Jasper St, Maple Creek, SK. The family invites anyone who knew Winnie to attend and remember her life. Immediately following the service, please join the family for lunch and a time of fellowship in the Maple Creek Legion Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jasper Cultural & Historical Center, Box 1504 Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0

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