COMBS, Winnifred Maureen
(formerly Kikoak, nee Kelly)
June 28, 2015
Winnifred Maureen Combs (formerly Kikoak, nee Kelly) passed peacefully to the Lord on June 28, 2015 at the Drumheller hospital. She was born in Innisfail, Alberta in 1937 and raised as a farm girl. Winnie trained as an LPN at the Innisfail hospital where she ran a ward until she moved to Inuvik, NT to pursue a nursing career across the north, from Baffin Island to the Mackenzie Delta. Among her regular nursing duties, Winnie also drove Bombardier B18 tracked vehicles, delivered babies, and assisted in dentistry. Her northern off hours were just as varied: dogsledding, fishing, hunting, archeological dig assistant, and visiting/singing/playing guitar or piano. She married a northern boy, Doug Kikoak, and they had Naomi. Upon returning to Alberta with her daughter, Winnie continued to nurse until she began working with people with developmental/situational challenges for a number of years. Her last profession was as a home care worker with the Drumheller Health Unit. Throughout her assorted careers, Winnie remained focused, conscientious and dedicated to her patients and her clients. After Winnie and Dale married, they enjoyed going camping for a few years, then gardening at home. They also spent time at the delightful private summer areas that Dale had created at their place in the valley; full of trees, flowers, birds, yard accents and barbecues. Winnie was a steadfast, highly respected and beloved friend to many people. Her pragmatic counsel and health advice was often sought and she’d lace her conversations with droll humour. Winnie’s faith in God and her discreetly prayerful nature did not waver throughout the numerous health challenges of her last few years. Winnie’s love lives on in: husband Lloyd Dale, daughter Naomi (Albert), grandsons Dylan (Stephanie) & Jeremy (Maggie), great-granddaughter Lily (her “Lily of the Valley”), brother Carson Kelly, sisters Aileen Ohlsen and Sheila Cassidy, numerous nieces & nephews, kindred friends Pat Symowniak, Don Tripp, Jane Dau, Alona Piecowye, and lifelong friends Martina Slaven and Arabella Rivet. A private family service will be held. Many thanks to Tamara and the Home Care Team, Drumheller hospital staff & volunteers, Stephanie Sierks, and all who have prayed, loved and supported Winnie and her family. The following poem was Mom’s favourite that echoed her pragmatic and spiritual philosophy about death and bereavement: “Miss Me-But Let Me Go (author unknown): When I come to the end of the road, And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room! Why cry for a soul set free! Miss me a little – but not for too long, And not with your head bowed low, Remember the love that we shared. Miss me, but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take, And each must go alone; It’s all part of the Master’s Plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of the heart, Go to the friends that we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss me, but let me go.”
