Obituary of Ethel Harrop

Surrounded by her family, Ethel passed away in her 91st year on October 19, 2023 at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ethel was born in Pelly, Saskatchewan on April 15, 1933 to Pauline and Nicholas Chernenkoff, and older sister Kathy. 

When she was young, Ethel moved with her family to Kelowna, BC, however, they ultimately returned to the prairies, settling on a farm in Durban, Manitoba. 

After completing high school in rural Manitoba she moved to Winnipeg. She graduated from nursing school in the mid 1950’s.  In an era where women were expected to be homemakers, not only did Ethel have a profession, she chose to work in the frenetic emergency department of the Misericordia Hospital in Winnipeg, the same hospital where she was trained by the Grey Nuns forty years previously. 

During her time at Misericordia she was respected by her peers, and admired not only as a mentor but a friend. These friendships were permanent and lifelong. 

The outdoors was Ethel’s passion. This love resulted in the purchase of her much enjoyed cottage on Bird Lake, Manitoba. It is here where she enjoyed paddling and swimming. She would frequently head out solo on day long hikes. She refused to tell anyone where she was going, presumingly to protect the location of her prized blueberry patch. Bears where never a deterrent, probably because they had a mutual understanding about who gets the fruit. 

When Ethel returned with the blueberries, well after dark, they ultimately ended up in a pie. An avid baker and a skilled pie maker, it was her Vinaterta and butter tarts that were legendary among her friends and family. 

Ethel’s grandchildren were particularly dear to her. After having a large part in the lives of her first three grandchildren she continued onto Toronto after her retirement to care for her youngest grandchild.  Hiking, canoeing, baking and even snake catching were activities that her grandchildren enjoyed with her. 

Ethel was fiercely independent. She lived in her own home until she was very reluctantly taken to the emergency department at Concordia Hospital on October 14, 2023.  Five days prior she prepared the family thanksgiving dinner complete with ham, turkey and pumpkin pies. All of this was prepared independently, after driving herself to the grocery store to purchase the food. She even experimented with a new pastry recipe, always willing to try something new. The pie crust, by the way, was excellent. 

Left to mourn her passing, in addition to her dear friends are her children Kim, Brent, Tab and Camille; her grandchildren Shawn, Trysta, Katelyn, Matthew; and great grandchildren Ellis and Huxley. 

She will be deeply missed by her older sister Kathy; her niece Lucille Bart (Ernie); her nephew Jeff (Judy) Horkoff; and their respective families. 

In keeping with Ethel’s lifestyle of simple, fuss free living, she will be cremated. She did not want a funeral service, however she would be pleased to have  people wear her favourite colour blue, go for a hike in the woods, and have a picnic in her memory, perhaps with a piece of blueberry pie.