Charlotte Dickson

Charlotte Dickson passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Carberry, Manitoba at the age of 97 years.  A private family graveside service has taken place, a video of the service is available to watch below.

Charlotte (Hyde) Dickson

Charlotte was born October 19, 1923

Deceased July 1st, 2021 at the age of 97 years 6 months

Her parents Henry and Ethel Hyde had seven children.  Tom, Phyllis (McCreedie) ,Grace (Birch), George, Lil (Early), Charlotte (Dickson),  Albert

She is predeceased by her parents and Husband Ken Dickson, as well as all of her six siblings. 

Charlotte was born at Pratt and went to school at Great Carlton School.

Charlotte worked at the telephone office in Sidney, then at the Rex Café Restaurant during the War Years and later at the Liberty Café.  She met Ken Dickson when he returned from overseas, and they were married in April 1949.   Charlotte joined Ken in Saskatoon in the fall of 1953, and for a few years travelled with him wherever his work took him but always back to Saskatoon for the winter months.

They lived in a house trailer until 1961, when they bought a house in Saskatoon.  Charlotte stayed in Saskatoon that summer.   Charlotte babysat for Brian & Debbie Abtosway, their son Patrick, and also for Merle and Dorothy Prpic, their daughter Michelle and son Mark. 

 Charlotte was very crafty, as was her husband; together they made the miniature tin furniture pin cushions from aluminum cans, lamps from Popsicle sticks, and standing flower vases from wine jugs.  Charlotte sewed many quilts with her sisters; crocheted doilies, Afghans, embroidery on pillow cases.  Quite a few nieces and nephews spent time in the summer at Ken and Charlotte’s home in Saskatoon where they learned to crochet or make other crafts and do puzzles. 

In 1985, Ken retired and together they moved back to Carberry.  During retirement they took several bus trips with McPhail Travel to Alaska, the Maritimes, Nashville, and a six week stay in Victoria.  After Ken’s passing in 1991, Charlotte continued to travel with friends on many bus trips.

Charlotte was an active bowler.   She loved music.  She played the organ and liked to sing.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church Choir for many years, and did not miss a practice.   

Charlotte enjoyed gardening, and after her nephew Joe constructed two garden boxes for her she gradually downsized to a smaller but plentiful garden from which she shared her produce with family and friends.  Her beautiful flowers in the garden and flower pots bloomed early spring to late fall.  As she would whisper, “I gave them a little help”, as she regularly fertilized them.  She faithfully carried water by pail from her rain barrels to her apple tree, and was so proud of the plentiful crop of apples each fall to share with family.  She was particularly proud of her prize Christmas cactus and its overflowing bloom.

Charlotte volunteered her time willingly to various events at the Church, the Drop in Centre, and the Care Home every Tuesday to assist with the bowling program for the residents.  She has participated in the Alzheimer and Breast Cancer Walks.

Charlotte enjoyed having coffee with friends, the Wednesday meal at the Drop In Center, Cribbage Tournaments, and the many outings with the seniors group.

She supported and looked forward to the Elk’s TV Bingo and quite often invited great nephews and nieces to play alongside her. 

Charlotte‘s favorite pass time was to crochet.  She stock piled many dish clothes, scrubbies, and mitts.  Many of these were donated to the Church Tea and Craft Sale or made as gifts. 

Charlotte was a very loving and caring person.  She kept in touch with nieces and nephews with phone calls, cards and letters.  She was always interested in what was going on at the farm, checking in with Donnie every morning to make sure he was out working and not snoozing and always told him she had half a day’s work done before she called him.  She had a routine; Monday was Laundry Day, Wednesday was the noon meal at the Drop In Center where she collected and counted the money for those attending.   Thursday was Choir practice, and Friday was dusting day.  She also liked to report on the weather, and her rain gauge quite often read more than the farm.

 Charlotte was strong willed and very determined to be independent and stay in her home as long as she was able.  If you were asked to do even the smallest favor for her, you were rewarded with a trip for ice cream or a trip to the Robin’s Nest for dinner or butterscotch pie.

She kept herself “young” by doing the things she loved to do.  She never complained.  During her residence at the Personal Care Home, she always told us “I can’t complain, I am fed and well looked after. No sense complaining.”

She had a sense of humor and you were always told to behave yourself, or another common phrase, “come here I’ll give you a swift kick in the you know what!”  Her smile was contagious and mischievous at times.

 She was a role model for us all by keeping her faith active, participating in community events and taking care of others, while actively living in her own home for as long as possible.

Left to mourn her passing are her many nieces and nephews and their extended families.

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