Obituary of SALLY ANNE TIDQUIST

With great sadness, our family announces the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother Sally Tidquist on Sunday October 22, 2023.  Mom was just over 88 ½ years old.

Sally is survived by her son Robert (Jill), daughter Laura, daughter Karen (Jason). Grandchildren Daniel (Tamara), Chris (Paulina), Colin (Courtney), Robert, Chelsea, Brendon (Sabrina), and her great-grandchildren Jayden, Violet, Oceanna, Royce. She also leaves to mourn her passing her dear sister-in-law Muriel Watterworth in Edmonton, nieces and nephews across Canada and her cousin Margaret (Randy) Iwankow in Summerside PEI. Sally treasured her lifelong friendship with June and Brian Croxford, her good friend Helen Rouse and many other special people.

Sally was predeceased by her husband Lawrence (Laurie) Tidquist in 2019, brother Jack Watterworth in 2010, sister Elaine Dodds in 2014, brother-in-law Brian Dodds in 2016, son-in-law Doug Hertzog in 2018, and grandson Robert’s partner Raina Scott in 2023.

Sally was born in Kenora, Ontario to Doris and Henry Watterworth.  Sally grew up in Elmwood and attended school in the area and resided in East Kildonan. Having lost her mom to cancer when Sally was a young age of 14, her grandmother Sarah helped to raise her and her sister Elaine.  With this Sally had the pleasure of spending her summers at the family cottages in Grand Marais.  Sally loved the beach and shared many stories of her days there. Her favorite saying was “there is nothing better than Grand Beach!” Even as mom developed Alzheimer's in her 80’s, she never forgot the stories and memories she treasured from her life at the beach. This love for Grand Beach has continued in our family following in Mom and Dad’s footsteps.

Sally met the love of her life, Laurie on the Moonlight Special the Train that traveled from Winnipeg to Grand Beach and back. They danced at the Old Dance Hall in Grand and continued this love of dancing for many years. It was a dream to watch them dance. Sally and Laurie were married for just shy of 65 years.

Sally returned to the work force after raising the family, she enjoyed working in various positions in the River East School Division. Her last position before retirement was as the Secretary in Emerson Elementary School. This position truly was a joy to Sally and possibly helped to groom her to become a grandmother with working with so many kids who needed boo-boos bandaged and kissed better.

Sally and Laurie enjoyed many years of family camping trips. Their adventures took them out West to visit family in Alberta, as well as to see their son Robert and daughter-in-law Jill in BC. They also spent summers camping and golfing in and around Manitoba with their pop-up trailer. They both shared the love of golfing and travelling. They had the pleasure of going on a golf trip to Thailand and on various cruises around the world, a bus trip to the East Coast and many trips into the US.

What Sally loved most however was having the family all together. Sharing a meal at the family home on Kimberly meant the world to Mom. Sitting out on the back deck in the summer. Christmas morning with all the grandkids gathered around brought her much Joy. Being able to treat the family to a Gondola Pizza night! Spending our annual July birthday celebration at the Neal’s Place at the beach. Family was the most important thing to Mom. Even as Mom progressed with her Alzheimer's, she still tried to keep up with what was happening with all our lives, her kids, grandkids and then the great grand kids. 

Mom, we are saddened to know you are no longer here to chat with on the phone, to share your Grand Beach stories, to sit with and share a cup of coffee and a cookie. We are thankful you left this world peacefully and on your own terms! 

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Irene Baron Eden Centre for supporting and caring for Mom over the past 2 years. The staff at Misericordia for working with mom these past couple of weeks. Lastly, for the compassion and care of the staff at St. Boniface Hospital Emergency in Mom’s final hours of her life. 

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Sally’s Life to be planned for Summer of 2024.