MYRTLE HELEN DATZKIW (nee McMillan)
Oct. 17, 1932 – Nov. 25, 2022
Myrtle chose the day of October 17, 1932, to make her debut to the world, in Dryden, Ontario, during a ferocious snowstorm. She made the world a better place
Dryden was home until Myrtle turned eighteen and graduated from grade 13. At that time, she moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to train in the three year nursing program at the Winnipeg General Hospital. One special day, on a train returning to Winnipeg from a family visit in Dryden, she met her future husband, John Datzkiw. Seated beside each other for the four hour trip, playing x’s and o’s and talking, led the way to romance.
After attaining her R.N., graduating in the class of ’54, Myrtle and a colleague set off driving to British Columbia with hopes of securing nursing jobs. Although there was no job yet in place, Myrtle wasn’t concerned, as the plan was to simply continue on to Hawaii!
But, B.C. did offer work, and Myrtle began her nursing career in New Westminster. She and John married February 3, 1955, moving to Saskatoon Briefly before settling permanently in Winnipeg.
Myrtle was predeceased by her husband John in 2018 and her brother, John McMillan. She leaves to mourn her loss, three children, eight grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Conrad (Lauren, David, Yvonne & granddaughter Vera) Debra (Holly, Noelle & great grandson Wyatt, great grandaughter Ruby) Ken (Jacob, Kaelan, Benjamin.}
Myrtle was a wonderful person. Quiet-spoken, intelligent, good-natured and loving. She was very active in many pursuits, with golfing and cribbage being high on the list. Bridge club was an even that was keenly anticipated for the comradery and friendly competition. She was a creative woman and the rec room was often filled with floral arrangements she made for sale over the twenty-plus years she volunteered on the Women’s Auxillary for both the Misericordia and Grace Hospitals. Myrtle said she would have enjoyed being an interior designer as well as a nurse. She and husband John also enjoyed being longstanding volunteer ushers with the Manitoba Theatre Centre. How she found time to get up at 5:00 am to drive children to swim team practice and work as a volunteer official at swim meets is a mystery.
Myrtle enjoyed many trips to Mexico, Hawaii and Barbados. But a most special place was Little Gordon Lake in beautiful northern Ontario, when the family cabins were. Midnight canoe paddles on a glassy lake, blueberry picking and, of course, eating the delicious pies, made good memories. Myrtle was a superb cook! And a super gardener – which we all enjoyed.
In Myrtle’s later years she developed Parkinson’s Disease and eventually had to give up many favorite activities, although she remained a fierce cribbage player. She especially looked forward to cribbage matches and visits with her long time, wonderful friend, Ev, who visited Mom regularly over many years.
The family would like to give Ev special thanks for being such a super friend and a positive force in Myrtle’s life. We also thank the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge, especially for making her 90th birthday a special day.
