Obituary for Leslie Anne Marion Culler (Parsons)
Leslie Parsons-Culler
April 26, 1939 - October 9, 2020
Peacefully, on October 9, 2020, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend, Leslie passed away at the age of 81, with her husband and son by her side.
She is survived by her loving husband, Carl Culler of 37 years (45 wonderful years together); along with her son Patrick Lelliott (Renata) and stepson Al Culler (Alejandra); as well as grandchildren Laura Lelliott and Andrew Culler. She is also survived by an aunt, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Leslie was the last surviving member of her family of ten brothers and sisters. She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Edith (nee McDonald) Parsons; her brothers Brian, Robert, Kenneth, Frank, Dennis and James Parsons; along with sisters Arlene Galle, Dorothy Chasney and Wendy Vincent. Leslie was also predeceased by her son, Blaine Lelliott, in 2011.
Leslie was born and grew up in Winnipeg. She went to elementary and high school there, as well as attending the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College in her later years.
She married Edward Gary Lelliott and moved to Calgary in the early 1960’s. Later, while in Calgary, she met and married Dr. Peter Cohen and moved to Montreal, along with her son and his two sons in the early 1970’s. She lived there until moving back to Winnipeg with her son Patrick permanently in 1974. A year later, she met the love of her life, Carl, and the rest is history.
She was originally employed at the downtown Eaton’s store in Winnipeg, where she worked as a teletype operator/typist. When living in Calgary, she worked in a Tax Centre and then at Aaron Ambulance Service. After moving back to Winnipeg, she was employed by the Province of Manitoba, working in the Planning Secretariat of the Ed Schreyer Government. She resigned this position to further her education at the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College from 1977 – 1981. She successfully completed her Education degree and entered the teaching profession for a time. Her favorite subject to teach was French. After teaching for a few years, she returned to work for the Province of Manitoba until her retirement in 1999.
Mom was always an active volunteer. She worked as a support person for Palliative Care patients at Riverview Health Centre. She was a member of the Manitoba Developmental Centre auxiliary in Portage la Prairie and of the St. Amant Family Association for many years, where she organized tea’s and events, along with supporting numerous activities for each organization.
She loved great company with close friends and family. She really enjoyed creating beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, with her husband Carl, in their back yard.
She was always there for her sons and grandchildren, along with many family members.
A highlight for Mom, along with Carl, was when they took care of their granddaughter, Laura, for 14 months, full-time when Renata returned to work after maternity leave. They would drive over to their house five days a week, to spend quality time with Laura. Mom and Carl said that was the best time of their life, and they wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Another highlight for Mom were the wonderful days she spent with Carl at their timeshare at Elkhorn Resort. Those getaways were very memorable for both of them for many years.
Leslie really loved music and had a good ear for it. Be it listening to Carl play the piano, following along on the drums, or just singing and humming along with the music, it all made her very happy.
Leslie really liked nice clothes, and was always beautifully dressed. She loved cooking, baking and getting together with family and friends for dinners and picnics. For many years, she organized the annual Parsons family picnics which took place in Birds Hill Park at the “Overlook” area.
In her early 30’s, Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she was able to “beat” it with no reoccurrence of the disease.
Unfortunately, Leslie was diagnosed with dementia in 2016, and dealt with its debilitating effects until her passing. A special thank you to Carl, for taking such extraordinary care of Mom, over these last few years. She really enjoyed going for long car rides through Parks, and to Tim Hortons for a coffee and muffin.
Our sincere gratitude to the 4th floor staff at Grace Hospital, for the compassion and professionalism they showed during Leslie’s stay.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the St. Amant Foundation.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
680 Archibald Street
204-253-5086
April 26, 1939 - October 9, 2020
Peacefully, on October 9, 2020, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend, Leslie passed away at the age of 81, with her husband and son by her side.
She is survived by her loving husband, Carl Culler of 37 years (45 wonderful years together); along with her son Patrick Lelliott (Renata) and stepson Al Culler (Alejandra); as well as grandchildren Laura Lelliott and Andrew Culler. She is also survived by an aunt, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Leslie was the last surviving member of her family of ten brothers and sisters. She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Edith (nee McDonald) Parsons; her brothers Brian, Robert, Kenneth, Frank, Dennis and James Parsons; along with sisters Arlene Galle, Dorothy Chasney and Wendy Vincent. Leslie was also predeceased by her son, Blaine Lelliott, in 2011.
Leslie was born and grew up in Winnipeg. She went to elementary and high school there, as well as attending the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College in her later years.
She married Edward Gary Lelliott and moved to Calgary in the early 1960’s. Later, while in Calgary, she met and married Dr. Peter Cohen and moved to Montreal, along with her son and his two sons in the early 1970’s. She lived there until moving back to Winnipeg with her son Patrick permanently in 1974. A year later, she met the love of her life, Carl, and the rest is history.
She was originally employed at the downtown Eaton’s store in Winnipeg, where she worked as a teletype operator/typist. When living in Calgary, she worked in a Tax Centre and then at Aaron Ambulance Service. After moving back to Winnipeg, she was employed by the Province of Manitoba, working in the Planning Secretariat of the Ed Schreyer Government. She resigned this position to further her education at the University of Manitoba and Red River Community College from 1977 – 1981. She successfully completed her Education degree and entered the teaching profession for a time. Her favorite subject to teach was French. After teaching for a few years, she returned to work for the Province of Manitoba until her retirement in 1999.
Mom was always an active volunteer. She worked as a support person for Palliative Care patients at Riverview Health Centre. She was a member of the Manitoba Developmental Centre auxiliary in Portage la Prairie and of the St. Amant Family Association for many years, where she organized tea’s and events, along with supporting numerous activities for each organization.
She loved great company with close friends and family. She really enjoyed creating beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, with her husband Carl, in their back yard.
She was always there for her sons and grandchildren, along with many family members.
A highlight for Mom, along with Carl, was when they took care of their granddaughter, Laura, for 14 months, full-time when Renata returned to work after maternity leave. They would drive over to their house five days a week, to spend quality time with Laura. Mom and Carl said that was the best time of their life, and they wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Another highlight for Mom were the wonderful days she spent with Carl at their timeshare at Elkhorn Resort. Those getaways were very memorable for both of them for many years.
Leslie really loved music and had a good ear for it. Be it listening to Carl play the piano, following along on the drums, or just singing and humming along with the music, it all made her very happy.
Leslie really liked nice clothes, and was always beautifully dressed. She loved cooking, baking and getting together with family and friends for dinners and picnics. For many years, she organized the annual Parsons family picnics which took place in Birds Hill Park at the “Overlook” area.
In her early 30’s, Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she was able to “beat” it with no reoccurrence of the disease.
Unfortunately, Leslie was diagnosed with dementia in 2016, and dealt with its debilitating effects until her passing. A special thank you to Carl, for taking such extraordinary care of Mom, over these last few years. She really enjoyed going for long car rides through Parks, and to Tim Hortons for a coffee and muffin.
Our sincere gratitude to the 4th floor staff at Grace Hospital, for the compassion and professionalism they showed during Leslie’s stay.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the St. Amant Foundation.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
680 Archibald Street
204-253-5086