Mom, Grannie, Great-Grannie, Auntie Myrt, Myrt

MYRTLE JOAN HAMBLETON (nee Williams) was born on July 20, 1922 in Ballarat, Australia.  She passed away on April 18, 2018 at the age of 95 years.

Myrtle Hambleton was the third child of World War I ANZAC soldier, Bob Williams, and his English war bride, Ethel Mullins.  When she was two years old the family moved to England. When Myrtle was six years old her family emigrated to Canada where they settled on a farm in the Colleston District, east of Prince Albert.

Myrtle married Hugh Hambleton on April 11, 1942.  Together they had three children, Joyce, George, and Jean.  Happy summers were spent at their cabin at Sunnyside Beach, Emma Lake. 

When their youngest child, Jean, started school, Myrtle went to work as a clerk in Kresge Department Store, then as a salesperson for Yaegers’ Furs, before moving to Sears where she sold furniture and appliances.  Myrtle loved working at Sears.  She said working at Sears was the best job she ever had.  Myrtle retired from Sears in 1982.

After they raised their three children, Hugh & Myrtle travelled to Ontario, the Maritime provinces, and made many driving trips to British Columbia, and Manitoba.  In 1977 they travelled to England to see the places where Hugh had been stationed during the war and to visit Myrtle’s cousins whom she had never met.  In 1978 they flew to Australia with Myrtle’s father to meet her Australian aunt and her two cousins and their families.

After Hugh died suddenly of a heart attack in 1985, Myrtle became very active in the St George’s Anglican Church Women, in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, and in the ABC Club (Alone But Coping).  She could always be counted on to bake her lemon meringue pies and to work at any functions the organizations were sponsoring.

Myrtle’s prime focus was her family.  She hosted family Sunday night roast dinners at her home until she was in her nineties.  She continued to enjoy Sunnyside Beach, watching grandchildren and then great-grandchildren playing in the sand and going in the water with them until she was 90.  Grannie always wanted to be “helpful”.  She was always happy to babysit, to look after grandchildren and later great-grandchildren, or help in any way she could.  Grannie looked forward to family gatherings for special holidays and to celebrate her birthday every July.

“Grannie” is survived by her three children and their spouses: Joyce (Richard) Nordlund, George (Gayle) Hambleton, and Jean (Steve) Palidwar; her seven grandchildren, Craig Palidwar, Aaron (Sherry) Palidwar, Kimberly (Robert Kindzierski) Nordlund, Christine (Glen Rupert) Hambleton, David Hambleton, Gwen (Ren Krieg) Hambleton, Ken (Lisa) Hambleton;  fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces, especially Bob (Rita) Miller who has visited her frequently over the years.  She always enjoyed hearing Bob play his bagpipes for her.

Myrtle (Williams) Hambleton was predeceased by her beloved husband, Hugh Hambleton; her parents, Bob and Ethel Williams; her four siblings and their spouses, Mick (Elsie) Williams, Doreen (Alf) Miller, Jack (Adrienne) Williams, and Eva (Cyril) Soderlund; Hugh’s siblings and their spouses; her nephews, Floyd Hambleton and Donald Hambleton; her niece, Gail Buckle (nee Hambleton); and many good friends.

Myrtle Hambleton (Mom, Grannie, Great-Grannie, Auntie Myrt, Myrt) will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her strength, her positive attitude, and her devotion to her family.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at River Park Funeral Home, 301 River Street West, Prince Albert, SK, Reverend Susan Salo officiating. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, Donald M. Moriarty, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2018-04-18
• Location : Prince Albert, SK