Obituary of Myrtle Lillian Thorson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Myrtle Thorson.  Myrt’s memory will be forever cherished by her husband of 63 years, Kim; her son Eric (Suzanne) and their children Viktor, Arianna, and Anton; her daughter Janet (Frank Abramovic) and their children Thomas and Katie; daughter Vanessa and her children Loughran, Lily and Sarah; brother George Lipsett (Calgary), brother-in-law Walter Chen (Prince George), sisters-in-law Dodie Kuchinka (Estevan), Norma Kuchinka (Regina), and Ann Rose and her husband Dave Baillie (Vancouver); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, George and Katherine (McLeod) Lipsett; Kim’s father Miles Thorson, Kim’s mother Ethel (Sinclair) Kuchinka and step-father Barney Kuchinka, Sr.; sisters Dorothy Lipsett and Mary Chen; brother John Lipsett and his wife Ellen, sister-in-law Joan Lipsett; brothers-in-law Daryl Kuchinka and Barney Kuchinka, Jr..

After High School at Scott Collegiate and Luther College (Class of 1951),  Myrt was trained as a Lab Tech and worked at hospitals in Regina, Prince Albert, and Winnipeg prior to her marriage in 1957.  Myrt continued to work while her husband went to law school.  Her marriage to Kim was a partnership between two strong and devoted people, who together built a happy home, and a strong presence within the communities in which they lived:  Estevan (1960’s), Regina (1970’s and 1980’s) and for the last thirty years, in Weyburn.  Myrt considered herself a professional homemaker and she took this job seriously.  She had pride in her children and in her home.  As anyone who knew Myrt will understand, her personality was too large to be so narrowly defined.  She was a member of various organizations and community groups.  Some of her favourites included the Estevan Public Library Board, Scandinavian Club of Regina (where she was the only Irish woman), Weyburn Nature Society, Ladies Bridge Club of Weyburn, and the United Church Women of Weyburn.

One of the greatest joys of Myrt’s life was the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren.  She adored them individually and loved nothing more than having them with her and Kim.  Myrt was funny, kind, and gracious as well as fierce and full of resolve.  She confronted life head on with conviction and purpose.  While her family is so grateful for the many years that we were able to spend with Myrt we are also thankful that she is past all earthly pain.

“Ah! Up then from the ground sprang I,

And hailed the Earth with such a cry,

As is not heard save from a man

Who has been dead, and lives again.

About the trees my arms I wound;

Like one gone mad I hugged the ground;

I raised my quivering arms on high;

I laughed and laughed into the sky.”

Edna St. Vincent Millay.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to donor’s choice or to Grace United Church in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.  A service will be held when we can gather in person after the removal of the pandemic restrictions.