Carole, Caroline, Mom, Carrie, Grandma, GG. She was fondly known by many names. She passed away peacefully at home at dawn on June 16, 2020 while her son held her hand and read the 23rd Psalm.
Cornelia (Caroline) Kalichuk was born in Grandview, MB on October 3, 1925. She married William (Bill) Crossley in 1948 and they lived in Dauphin, MB until 1958 when they moved to Winnipeg so Bill could begin a new career as a teacher. Carole was an extremely supportive wife who worked hard to help Bill provide for the family. She worked many years for Holt Renfrew and Richlu Sportswear in Winnipeg.
Carole and Bill enjoyed 56 years together until his death in 2004. With a cabin on Dauphin Lake and Carole’s mother in Dauphin, they travelled back and forth often, enjoying life with all their friends in both places. Cruising was a shared passion and they travelled the world together. Carole was also predeceased by her son Robert (Bob) in 2017.
She is survived by her son Jim Crossley, daughter-in-law Anne and granddaughters Catherine Crossley (Sheldon Matthews) and April Page (Alex) along with 3 great grandsons (Clayton, Arden and Brody) and 4 “bonus” grandchildren (Jordyn, Jayde, Tye and Talyn) all of whom loved her dearly.
Carole was an amazingly kind and generous person who was friendly to one and all. She was approachable, or she would approach you, and would openly engage in a friendly conversation. Carole was always gracious and had a kind word for everyone in her building and often a small candy.
Carole’s hands were always busy; either knitting beanies for the newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the South Health Campus in Seton or knitting mittens and toques for the homeless - not to mention items for the family. She was a perfectionist and sometimes would undo her knitting, losing several days work because she found a tiny flaw in it.
Handmade greeting cards were another specialty. The residents of Auburn Heights Retirement Home were the primary recipients of these cards for their birthdays, anniversaries, or other occasions and her cards were also sent far and wide. She made cards to honour our Veterans on Remembrance Day and the list goes on. While living in Winnipeg, she did watercolour paintings as well, but later turned to making cards using her own photography as the cover. She was a prolific letter writer with beautiful penmanship.
The family would like to thank Melanie, Cathy and Melinda who helped make Carole’s final days comfortable. James and Sara also went above and beyond in their roles with Jim on Carole’s final night.
“DJR” wrote this poem for Carole several years ago, and it truly embraced her spirit:
Carole Crossley, such a busy girl
Always in a social whirl!
Christmas - Halloween - 1st of July
Always a present, why oh why?
Where there’s a will she’ll find away
Expectant mothers on Labour Day?
Thanks a load for your latest gift
They give us all a happy lift.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite charity, Carole supported so many that it would not honour her memory to focus on just one.
Sincere condolences on the passing of your Mom and Grandma. I met your Mom many times while visiting my mom at Auburn Heights, she was always so friendly and full of life. Mavis was the lucky recipient of many of your Mom's beautiful cards that she made, a very talented lady. She will be missed. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
View MoreJim and family, We were so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a very special lady! I just received one of her beautiful hand made cards at Easter with a lovely picture inside of her and Joan Jackson. Very thoughtful. Cherish your memories. Keith and Cathy
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