August 17, 1945 – June 19, 2026
It is with deep sadness we share that Deanna “Dee” Rosemarie Catchpole (née Tomasson) passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026, with her beloved husband Ted and dear friends by her side.
Deanna was born on August 17, 1945, to Dorothy (née Clifford) and Helgi K. Tomasson. She was proud of her Icelandic roots and held dear the strong community ties that shaped her early years living on Hecla Island, Manitoba. In 1957, her family moved to Winnipeg, where she spent the rest of her childhood. In 1963, she graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute. That is where she and Ted first met. Their love story would come much later, when Ted was visiting a friend in hospital. He heard Deanna’s familiar voice and instantly recognized his old high school friend. That chance meeting brought them back into each other’s lives. They were married on May 9, 1993, and shared more than 33 years together.
Deanna’s other love was nursing. She trained at the Salvation Army Grace Hospital School of Nursing from 1963 to 1966 and was recognized as class valedictorian in her graduating year. Nursing was never simply a career for Dee; it was a calling, and one she answered with skill, strength, and deep compassion. Her first nursing position took her to Kapuskasing, Ontario. She later worked in Vernon, British Columbia, before returning to Kapuskasing. Eventually, she returned to Winnipeg, where she served as Head Nurse at Misericordia Hospital, and then worked at St. Boniface Hospital until her retirement in 2003.
Even after retirement, Dee continued to care for others in places where experienced nurses were greatly needed. She worked winters at Valley Baptist Hospital in Texas and summers in Nunavut, bringing her steady hands, calm judgment, and generous spirit to communities far from home. She also worked as a community nurse in Selkirk.
Across every hospital and community, Dee left a lasting impression. She was respected for her knowledge, admired for her strength and leadership, and remembered by many nurses as a mentor who took them under her wing. Following her long career in health care, she stayed closely connected to her profession and her dearest friends through “The Beavers,” a retired nurses’ social circle.
When not nursing, Dee and Ted enjoyed a full and active life. They golfed, travelled, spent winters in Harlingen, Texas, and made treasured trips to North Dakota for pheasant hunting. Dee loved to see the world, with travels that included Greece, the Caribbean, and Hong Kong. She loved good meals, good stories, and time spent with friends and family.
Deanna had a remarkable gift for making people feel remembered. She never forgot birthdays or anniversaries, always remembering the important moments in the lives of the people she loved. She was kind, courageous, funny, generous, and strong. She had wit and warmth, and she cared for people in ways both practical and deeply personal.
In recent years, Deanna lived with courage through the loss of her health. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Selkirk Regional Health Centre, particularly those in the dialysis unit, for their compassion and support. We also thank Dee’s many friends and extended family for their concern and kindness during her illness.
Deanna was predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Helgi; her stepfather, Joe; and her brothers, Christian “Chris” (Ardith) and Clifford (Marleen). She is survived by her sister, Darlene (Ron). She also leaves behind her beloved husband, Ted; stepson Trevor Catchpole (Erika); stepdaughter Laurie Lyle (Frank); and Laurie’s sons, William and Henry, her two grandchildren who knew and loved her by the Icelandic term Amma. She was also a much-loved aunt to many nieces and nephews, and part of a large extended family that includes numerous cousins, all of whom held a special place in her heart.
Family and friends are invited to attend a come-and-go Celebration of Life in honour of Deanna on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Coutu Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street in Winnipeg. This reception will be an opportunity to offer condolences, visit with family, share memories, and remember a life marked by compassion, friendship, service, and love. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in Deanna’s name.