Obituary of Elsie Cave

Peacefully, on October 15, 2020 after having suffered a stroke, Elsie Cave passed away at the age of 91, independent to the end. Elsie was born in Amsterdam, Saskatchewan on May 15, 1929 to parents George and Jenny Burdenuk, one of five children. The family moved to Gilbert Plains, Manitoba and that is where she married Robert (Bob) Cave on July 12, 1950. They had two children, son Robert (Rob) and daughter Nancy. The young family moved to the home on Rosseau Ave. West in Transcona in 1958 and became great friends with their neighbours the Corbets, Lyle and Denise. For Elsie this was a friendship that lasted for 62 years and only ended with her passing. Elsie was predeceased by her husband Bob; son Rob; grandson Kevin; brothers Ernie and Albert; and sister Mary. She is survived by older sister Rose. Elsie will be lovingly remembered by daughter Nancy (Gordon); granddaughter Michelle (Bill); and great granddaughter Morgan; by daughter-in-law Joyce, grandchildren Michael, Crystal (Justin), and Ashley (Dwight); and great grandchildren Nick, Aiden, Asher, Kaitlyn, Rory and Lily. Mom became a widow at a relatively young age when Bob passed away in December 1985, but with the support of family and friends she forged ahead with courage and determination. She kept an immaculate home and yard, doing most of the work herself. She had abundant vegetable gardens and she loved flowers, with flower pots hanging in season from the garage. In later years she would delegate some chores to family members. Mind you, she had very lofty standards, and she expected you to meet those standards. Grandson Kevin found that out, much to his chagrin, when he was assigned to mow her lawn for the first time. As he nonchalantly went about his work, a surprise inspection by the boss at about the halfway point quickly confirmed that his work was substandard, and he was promptly fired! Mom loved watching and participating in sports. She was a competitive curler, curling in the Transcona Ladies league on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She went to many bonspiels with her teams. She was an avid golfer who played in a ladies group at Harbourview every Tuesday. She also golfed with Dad, and they very much enjoyed going to out-of-town courses. She was also a lawn bowler in a Dakota lawn bowling league. Mom found another hobby when she and her sister Rose, both widows, began to go on casino bus trips to the United States. The two of them had an absolute blast travelling to casinos in Minnesota and the Dakotas, and upon their return would always have amusing tales of their misadventures. Mom was a member of St. George’s Anglican Church, Transcona for many years, and would often volunteer her services in any number of capacities. She was always very proud of Transcona, and somewhat skeptical of all the other Winnipeg suburbs. Mom loved her family very much, and would always sacrifice for them, and that will be her legacy. Per Elsie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and she will be laid to rest next to husband Bob in the Transcona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.