Leella Metcalfe (Mills)

With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of LeElla (Leyelleya) Metcalfe at Trinity Manor, on September 12, 202, at the age of 98, surrounded by her loving family.

Lee was the last remaining sibling in her family, pre-deceased by her loving husband Jim, and daughter-in-law Sandy. She will be dearly missed and survived by her children, Linda (Barry) Owen, Keith (Kathy) Metcalfe, Bill Metcalfe and Judy Metcalfe along with 6 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, her sister-in-law Evelyn and remembered by her many nieces and nephews.

Lee was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan on August 22, 1923. She graduated in 1945 from City Hospital in Saskatoon as a Registered Nurse; she first worked in Scott then at the Unity Union Hospital until her retirement in 1976. She met and married her soul mate, Jim in 1947 and had 57 wonderful years with him. They spent many winters in Arizona, golfing and playing pool and snooker, until 1988 when she and Jim moved to Saskatoon to be closer to family.

Lee had many interests, cooking, sewing, crocheting, gardening, square dancing, curling, golfing, watching baseball and reading. She had a thirst for knowledge and was always up to date on new trends, including technology; she owned a computer long before many her age had the courage to do so. She served as President of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and was active with the union at the Hospital advocating for better working conditions and wages for nurses and was fondly known as “Mother Metcalfe”. She will be remembered for the spectacular crinolines and the fancy square dance dresses she made; she and Jim also hosted many square dance lessons on Sundays in their home to teach younger children to dance.

She was an incredible mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother to all and liked nothing better than cooking for her big family.  Her homemade pizza, spaghetti sauce, shortbread, ice box buns, corn soufflé, and especially her cowboy cookies, crab apple jelly and spud nuts were treasured favorites and these recipes have been handed down thru 5 generations. All who dearly loved Lee knew her to be practical, faithful, gracious and genuine to a fault.

Her faith was deep as well as her undying love and commitment to her family. She instilled in her children strong values, ethics and morals that have served them and their families well.

The family extends their gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff of Trinity Manor.

Lee’s celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of  flowers, donations may be made in Lee’s memory to the Saskatchewan Diabetes Foundation. Arrangements are entrusted to Martens Warman Funeral Home www.martenswarmen.ca.

Lee was a great woman, who lived a great life.