1. EUNICE MARGARET ALICE5 WRIGHT (RICHARDPHILIP4, RICHARD3, PHILLIP2, RICHARD1)1 was born April 21, 1920 in Oak Lake, Manitoba1, and died January 18, 2004 in Kildonan Place Personal Care Home - Winnipeg1. She married (1) HECTOR MCKAY ESSELMONT1 July 20, 1940 in Winnipeg, son of PETER ESSELMONT and ISABELLA FLETT. He was born January 19, 1918 in Winnipeg Manitoba1, and died October 25, 1986 in Winnipeg Manitoba1. She married (2) RICHARD FRANCIS MCDONALD Private. He was born Private.
Notes for EUNICE MARGARET ALICE WRIGHT:
From: Lorraine Walker [mailto:bcwalker1@shaw.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 10:36 PM
To: Bob Esselmont
Subject: Mom's story
EUNICE MARGARET ALICE WRIGHT
Eunice Margaret Alice Wright was born in Oak Lake, Manitoba on April 21, 1920 - the youngest child of parents Richard and Margaret Wright. She was the only girl, with 5 brothers: Gordon, Norman, Preston, Cecil and Douglas.
When she was quite young, the family moved to a farm in the Suthwyn District (near Dugald) where Eunice completed grades 1 to 8 at Suthwyn School, a one-room schoolhouse.
After completing grade 12 in Transcona, she met a young fellow named Hector Esselmont, a CNR carman's apprentice. They were married on July 20th, 1940 and in August 1941 were blessed with a son - Robert. In 1943, Hector enlisted with the R.C.A.F. and after training at Saskatoon, Regina and
Yorkton, he graduated with a Commission as a pilot. Upon release from service, he finished his apprenticeship and later became apprentice instructor at the CN shops in Transcona. In 1947, their daughter Lorraine was born.
Eunice worked for many years at Eatons in the Baby Department and Ladies Dresses. She also did volunteer work at the Museum of Man and Nature, and supported the Dugald Costume Museum. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Transcona as well as the Transcona Memorial United Church.
In 1970 they bought a cottage at Barren Lake and spent many wonderful summers there with the family, friends, and especially the grandchildren. Hector passed away in 1986. Previous to his passing, Eunice and Hector spent winter holidays in Hawaii for 10 years in a row.
In June 1991, Eunice married Frank McDonald, a widower whom she had first met in 1956 when Eunice, Hector, Frank and his first wife Donna, belonged to the same square dance club. Eunice and Frank had 11 months of happiness before she suffered a massive stroke in May 1992, while at her cottage at
Barren Lake.
They lived together, at home, until, in 1995, her condition was such that she was moved she moved to the Kildonan Personal Care Home. Frankvisited her at the Home almost every day, until she passed away on Jan. 18 (Hector's birthday) 2004. Frank passed away in August 2005.
Eunice has 5 grandchildren: Rob, Kim, and Kelly (Bob and Jackie's children) and Curtis and Kent (Lorraine and Bruce's sons). At the time of her passing she had 6 great-grandchildren: Megan, Sydney, Victoria, Jacob, Natasha and Brendan.
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Obituary notice - Winnipeg Free Press
Eunice McDonald (Esselmont, nee Wright)
Eunice McDonald passed peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 83 years.
Born at Oak Lake Manitoba April 21 1920 and the only daughter of Margaret and Richard Wright, the family farmed in the Dugald area. Eunice attended high school in Transcona, and was predeceased by five older brothers, Gordon, Preston, Cecil, Norman, and Douglas Wright
She married Hector Esselmont, then a CNR apprentice, in 1940 and lived in Transcona following his term in the RCAF, until his death in 1986.
Eunice is survived by her son, Bob Esselmont and wife Jackie of Burlington Ontario, with three grandchildren (and six great grandchildren), Rob (Megan & Sydney), Kim and husband Jim Rideout (Victoria, Jacob, Natasha), Kelly Lardner (Brendan) all in Ontario. as well as her daughter, Lorraine and husband Bruce Walker of North Kildonan, with grandsons Curtis and Kent.
Eunice married long time family friend Frank McDonald in 1991, enjoying only a few precious months together before suffering a stroke in 1992. This ultimately resulted in her moving into the Kildonan Personal Care Home in 1995 where Frank has visited her daily, ever since. Eunice and Frank came to regard the Kildonan staff as ‘second family’ and were rewarded with tender and loving care, and concern, every day. Eunice is also survived by Frank, his son Stewart and wife Linda, of Edmonton, as well as Stewart’s daughter Kori and husband Sheldon Kofoed, and thier two children Aiden and Ruby, of Ottawa.
Eunice enjoyed the outdoors, tenting in the Whiteshell, then ‘graduating’ to a cottage on Barren Lake where she enjoyed visits from her grandchildren. She was a longstanding member of Rebecca Lodge and the Dugald Fashion Museum, and attended Transcona Memorial United Church. She loved music, encouraging her children to play piano and always enjoyed sharing several ‘good old songs’ with Frank on his daily visits.
The family will be forever grateful to Frank for his love and devotion to mom over these years and also the administration and staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre for their wonderful caring concern for her well being.
Transcona Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements, with viewing in the chapel on (date)at (time). Funeral service at Transcona Memorial United Church (address) on (date). at (time).
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Funeral Service address
by Eunice's granddaughter,
Kimberly Rideout (nee Esselmont)
My Gramma!
Her life was a canvass she painted with ease
the landscapes filled with mountains and trees.
She sought out perfection and beauty in life,
everyday, the best grandmother, mother, and wife.
To me, she's a symbol of all that is good,
from each fond clear memory of my childhood.
The lakeside summers, filled with cookies and tea
to the boat rides, and craft projects, planned just for me.
Then we'd pick every blueberry from "blueberry hill",
the pancakes and pies, I can taste them still.
And no matter how far the miles pulled us apart
they could never erase what you meant to my heart.
Your love and support never ever did wane
and I want you to know that mine was the same.
My chldren will know who their great grandmother was
and will always remember you, with hearts filled with love!
Thank you grandma, for passing you brush on to me![Richard Wright at Oct 2005_revisited.FTW]
Lorraine and I have been having great 'chats' with mom about her years:
on the farm, winters, Suthwyn school, meeting my dad, being the youngest, being a girl, marrying during the war, dad as a pilot, Yorkton Saskatchewan, her first born (me), working at Eatons, her second born (Lorraine) Rebecca Lodge, raising kids, music lessons, dance outfits, tenting, Disneyland, square dancing, grandchildren, cottage, first trip abroad, Hawaii, retirement, losing dad, meeting Frank, Las Vegas, life long friends.
Eunice McDonald passed peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 83 years.
Born at Oak Lake Manitoba April 21 1920 and the only daughter of Margaret and Richard Wright, the family farmed in the Dugald area. Eunice attended high school in Transcona, and was predeceased by five older brothers, Gordon, Preston, Cecil, Norman, and Douglas Wright
She married Hector Esselmont, then a CNR apprentice, in 1940 and lived in Transcona following his term in the RCAF, until his death in 1986.
Eunice is survived by her son, Bob Esselmont and wife Jackie of Burlington Ontario, with three grandchildren (and six great grandchildren), Rob (Megan & Sydney), Kim and husband Jim Rideout (Victoria, Jacob, Natasha), Kelly Lardner (Brendan) all in Ontario. as well as her daughter, Lorraine and husband Bruce Walker of North Kildonan, with grandsons Curtis and Kent.
Eunice married long time family friend Frank McDonald in 1991, enjoying only a few precious months together before suffering a stroke in 1992. This ultimately resulted in her moving into the Kildonan Personal Care Home in 1995 where Frank has visited her daily, ever since. Eunice and Frank came to regard the Kildonan staff as ‘second family’ and were rewarded with tender and loving care, and concern, every day. Eunice is also survived by Frank, his son Stewart and wife Linda, of Edmonton, as well as Stewart’s daughter Kori and husband Sheldon Kofoed, and thier two children Aiden and Ruby, of Ottawa.
Eunice enjoyed the outdoors, tenting in the Whiteshell, then ‘graduating’ to a cottage on Barren Lake where she enjoyed visits from her grandchildren. She was a longstanding member of Rebecca Lodge and the Dugald Fashion Museum, and attended Transcona Memorial United Church. She loved music, encouraging her children to play piano and always enjoyed sharing several ‘good old songs’ with Frank on his daily visits.
The family will be forever grateful to Frank for his love and devotion to mom over these years and also the administration and staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre for their wonderful caring concern for her well being.
Transcona Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements, with viewing in the chapel on (date)at (time). Funeral service at Transcona Memorial United Church (address) on (date). at (time).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Funeral Service address by Eunice's granddaughter, Kimberly Rideout (nee Esselmont)
My Gramma!
Her life was a canvass she painted with ease
the landscapes filled with mountains and trees.
She sought out perfection and beauty in life,
everyday, the best grandmother, mother, and wife.
To me, she's a symbol of all that is good,
from each fond clear memory of my childhood.
The lakeside summers, filled with cookies and tea
to the boat rides, and craft projects, planned just for me.
Then we'd pick every blueberry from "blueberry hill",
the pancakes and pies, I can taste them still.
And no matter how far the miles pulled us apart
they could never erase what you meant to my heart.
Your love and support never ever did wane
and I want you to know that mine was the same.
My chldren will know who their great grandmother was
and will always remember you, with hearts filled with love!
Thank you grandma, for passing you brush on to me!
More About EUNICE MARGARET ALICE WRIGHT:
Burial: Unknown, Transcona Cemetery, with Hector Esselmont1
Notes for HECTOR MCKAY ESSELMONT:
Hector McKay Esselmont was born in Transcona Manitoba. He gained his middle name to honor the local doctor, Dr McKay, who had helped Isabella bear many of her 7 children, at home, in the railway section house. Hector was around 11 pounds at birth, so this must have been quite a task!
Hector graduated from Central School and became a Carman apprentice (carpentry, woodworking, furniture) for the CNR at Transcona. He was very good at his craft and rose to become the apprentice instructor in the shops. At his retirement he was responsible for tracking any rail accidents in the Prairie division and deciding whether the wrecked equipment would be salvaged and repaired, or destroyed.
He was married in 1940 to Eunice (Wright) who lived on a farm in the nearby Dugald area. They had two children, Robert Hector, and Lorraine Eunice.
Hector served time in the Royal Canadian Air Force, training on the Cornell, Crane 1 & 1A, Anson II, and Harvard,
April 9 /43 - enlisted, Saskatoon - A/C2
April 26 /43 - Brandon - A/C2
July 25 /43 - #7 ITS - Saskatoon - A/C2
Oct 17 /43 - #15 EFTS - Regina - LAC
Jan12 /44 - #11 SFTS - Yorkton - LAC
::: graduated SGT, promoted to Pilot Officer in Yorkton on Aug 25 /44.
Sept 12 /44 - #2 ACTS - Calgary - P/O
Oct 12 /44 - #1 "Y" Depot - Lachine Quebec - P/O
Dec 11 /44 - #5 Release Center - Winnipeg - P/O
::: released & transferred to Class "E" reserve
June 30 /45 - T.E.S. - Aylmer On - P/O
Oct 18 / 45 - discharged
Interestingly, of the 5,000 odd Crane aircraft produced, few are stlll flying and one (the very one Hector took his training on) is today on active display at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the Hamilton airport. You can see this very plane on 'the net' today at http://www.warplane.com/crane.html
Hector was a tall, slender, gentle man - well liked , with a wide circle of friends. In his early years he took his family tenting at Hoban's Park near Beausejour Manitoba. and later to West Hawk Lake provincial campground. It was there that they invested in a mahogany plywood boat. His children (and many of his friends children) learned to water ski behind that boat.
Hector enjoyed travelling. He was so proud when they were able to afford their first car, a used, blue '48 Dodge. It was soon upgraded to a '56 Dodge (with the big fins) and he ventured all the way to California to take his kids to actually see the redwoods, the ocean, Las Vegas and the new Disneyland!
Both their children married, and still are. After the birth of his second grandchild Kimberly, they bought a cottage on Baren Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, where they enjoyed the frequent visits of Thier children and grandchildren and upgraded the boating equipment and skis for the new 'teenagers'.
Upon retirement, they travelled to Costa Del Sol, and the Carribean, but once they visited Hawaii, they returned every year for at least a month during the winter. Hector loved that island and in honour of that, "Aloha, but not goodby" is engraved on his headstone in Transcona Cemetery.[Richard Wright at Oct 2005_revisited.FTW]
Hector McKay Esselmont was born in Transcona Manitoba. He gained his middle name to honor the local doctor, Dr McKay, who had helped Isabella bear many of her 7 children, at home, in the railway section house. Hector was around 11 pounds at birth, so this must have been quite a task!
Hector graduated from Central School and became a Carman apprentice (carpentry, woodworking, furniture) for the CNR at Transcona. He was very good at his craft and rose to become the apprentice instructor in the shops. At his retirement he was responsible for tracking any rail accidents in the division and deciding whether the wrecked equipment would be salvaged and repaired, or destroyed.
He was married in 1940 to Eunice (Wright) who lived on a farm in the nearby Dugald area. They had two children, Robert Hector, and Lorraine Eunice.
Hector served time in the Royal Canadian Air Force, training on the Cornell, Crane 1 & 1A, Anson II, and Harvard,
April 9 /43 - enlisted, Saskatoon - A/C2
April 26 /43 - Brandon - A/C2
July 25 /43 - #7 ITS - Saskatoon - A/C2
Oct 17 /43 - #15 EFTS - Regina - LAC
Jan12 /44 - #11 SFTS - Yorkton - LAC
::: graduated SGT, promoted to Pilot Officer in Yorkton on Aug 25 /44.
Sept 12 /44 - #2 ACTS - Calgary - P/O
Oct 12 /44 - #1 "Y" Depot - Lachine Quebec - P/O
Dec 11 /44 - #5 Release Center - Winnipeg - P/O
::: released & transferred to Class "E" reserve
June 30 /45 - T.E.S. - Aylmer On - P/O
Oct 18 / 45 - discharged
Interestingly, of the 5,000 odd Crane aircraft produced, few are stlll flying and one (the very one Hector took his training on) is today on active display at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the Hamilton airport. You can see this very plane on 'the net' today at http://www.warplane.com/crane.html
Hector was a tall, slender, gentle man - well liked , with a wide circle of friends. In his early years he took his family tenting at Hoban's Park near Beausejour Manitoba. and later to West Hawk Lake provincial campground. It was there that they invested in a mahogany plywood boat. His children (and many of his friends children) learned to water ski behind that boat.
Hector enjoyed travelling. He was so proud when they were able to afford their first car, a used, blue '48 Dodge. It was soon upgraded to a '56 Dodge (with the big fins) and he ventured all the way to California to take his kids to actually see the redwoods, the ocean, Las Vegas and the new Disneyland!
Both their children married, and still are. After the birth of his second grandchild Kimberly, they bought a cottage on Baren Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, where they enjoyed the frequent visits of Thier children and grandchildren and upgraded the boating equipment and skis for the new 'teenagers'.
Upon retirement, they travelled to Costa Del Sol, and the Carribean, but once they visited Hawaii, they returned every year for at least a month during the winter. Hector loved that island and in honour of that, "Aloha, but not goodby" is engraved on his headstone in Transcona Cemetery.[test.FTW]
Hector McKay Esselmont was born in Transcona Manitoba. He gained his middle name to honor the local doctor, Dr McKay, who had helped Isabella bear many of her 7 children, at home, in the railway section house. Hector was around 11 pounds at birth, so this must have been quite a task!
Hector graduated from Central School and became a Carman apprentice (carpentry, woodworking, furniture) for the CNR at Transcona. He was very good at his craft and rose to become the apprentice instructor in the shops. At his retirement he was responsible for tracking any rail accidents in the division and deciding whether the wrecked equipment would be salvaged and repaired, or destroyed.
He was married in 1940 to Eunice (Wright) who lived on a farm in the nearby Dugald area. They had two children, Robert Hector, and Lorraine Eunice.
Hector served time in the Royal Canadian Air Force, training on the Cornell, Crane 1 & 1A, Anson II, and Harvard,
April 9 /43 - enlisted, Saskatoon - A/C2
April 26 /43 - Brandon - A/C2
July 25 /43 - #7 ITS - Saskatoon - A/C2
Oct 17 /43 - #15 EFTS - Regina - LAC
Jan12 /44 - #11 SFTS - Yorkton - LAC
::: graduated SGT, promoted to Pilot Officer in Yorkton on Aug 25 /44.
Sept 12 /44 - #2 ACTS - Calgary - P/O
Oct 12 /44 - #1 "Y" Depot - Lachine Quebec - P/O
Dec 11 /44 - #5 Release Center - Winnipeg - P/O
::: released & transferred to Class "E" reserve
June 30 /45 - T.E.S. - Aylmer On - P/O
Oct 18 / 45 - discharged
Interestingly, of the 5,000 odd Crane aircraft produced, few are stlll flying and one (the very one Hector took his training on) is today on active display at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the Hamilton airport. You can see this very plane on 'the net' today at http://www.warplane.com/crane.html
Hector was a tall, slender, gentle man - well liked , with a wide circle of friends. In his early years he took his family tenting at Hoban's Park near Beausejour Manitoba. and later to West Hawk Lake provincial campground. It was there that they invested in a mahogany plywood boat. His children (and many of his friends children) learned to water ski behind that boat.
Hector enjoyed travelling. He was so proud when they were able to afford their first car, a used, blue '48 Dodge. It was soon upgraded to a '56 Dodge (with the big fins) and he ventured all the way to California to take his kids to actually see the redwoods, the ocean, Las Vegas and the new Disneyland!
Both their children married, and still are. After the birth of his second grandchild Kimberly, they bought a cottage on Baren Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, where they enjoyed the frequent visits of Thier children and grandchildren and upgraded the boating equipment and skis for the new 'teenagers'.
Upon retirement, they travelled to Costa Del Sol, and the Carribean, but once they visited Hawaii, they returned every year for at least a month during the winter. Hector loved that island and in honour of that, "Aloha, but not goodby" is engraved on his headstone in Transcona Cemetery.
More About HECTOR MCKAY ESSELMONT:
Burial: Unknown, Transcona Cemetery, Sec 201
More About HECTOR ESSELMONT and EUNICE WRIGHT:
Marriage: July 20, 1940, Winnipeg
More About RICHARD MCDONALD and EUNICE WRIGHT:
Private-Begin: Private
Children of EUNICE WRIGHT and HECTOR ESSELMONT are:
