Edith May Wiebe

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie and friend, Edith May Wiebe,  travelled to the spirit world at the age of 88 years old. Edith took her last breath Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 6:12 a.m. at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba with family by her side.

Edith was almost born in a canoe as her mother paddled to Thicket Portage on May 21, 1937.  She grew up on the trapline watching her mom work moose hide, bead and sew, while her father worked on the railroad. Edith spent her childhood travelling between the northern communities of Thicket Portage and Pitwintonei and shared many stories of climbing trees and playing in the bush. Edith was then transferred to the Clearwater Lake Sanatorium (Hospital) when she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and resided there as a patient until the age of 12 years old. Once she was healed and recovered, she stayed at the hospital and became a nurse’s aide where she helped care for many patients (something she was very proud of) before moving to Vancouver.

In B.C. Edith worked as a nanny and a restaurant hostess, until she returned to Manitoba. In The Pas she continued to work as a restaurant hostess, before she became an addictions counsellor and bingo queen. In her later years she moved to Winnipeg where she found joy in participating and supporting others in AA, even travelling to the States for large conferences. She made many great friends while working at Wendy’s and took pride in training new staff.

Edith loved spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, and friends. She enjoyed her bingos and working on her puzzles. On April 27, 2024 Edith received her 40th year sobriety, something she was very proud of. Edith was a strong, independent woman and so feisty (like Sophia the golden girl). And her stubbornness carried on strong to the rest of her family (something we can all relate to).

The loss of Edith will be felt by everyone that knew her. We will forever cherish your memory, and as you have told us, we will always carry you in our hearts. We love you Edith (mom/grannie). 

Edith leaves to mourn her passing, her children Talbot Ponask (Linda), Doramae Goldberg (Gill), George Jr Ponask, and Darnell Chartrand; grandchildren Stacy Ponask, Shauna Ponask (Dylan), Jonny Catcheway (Lacey), Cassi Suru-Martinson (Tyler), Sharon Catcheway, Gordon Catcheway, Timothy Tetreault, Alyson Tetreault, Jordyn Ewing, Chelsea Ponask, Ethan Simpson, Emily Ponask, Curtis Helstrom and Debbie Helstrom; great grandchildren Lexus, Lillee, Lincoln, Quynn, Ava, Liv, Keithan, Emma, Davyn and Micah; great great grandchild Asher; brothers Johnny, Ivan (Marilyn), and Calvin (Adrianna); sisters Carol (Melvin), Rhonda (Blaine) and Mary; all of her nieces and nephews; as well as many more other family members and friends. We apologize if we missed anyone it was not intentional.

Edith was predeceased by her son Gordon Ponask; great grandson Kingston; parents James and Madeline Hall (Moose); step mother Beatrice Hall; maternal grandparents Didymus Moose and Barbara Beardy; paternal grandparents Hugie and Amy Hall; brothers Norman, Peter, Cyril, Frankie and Cyril; sisters Barbara, Georgina, Jill and Lorraine.