Nellie Steeves

Nellie Steeves was born in Brandon, Manitoba February 23, 1923 to Thomas and Jenny Tomowich. Nellie loved the prairies and flourished alongside her brother Dan and her sister Maryanne. She left home at a young age and went to Toronto to find work where she met and later married Harold Steeves, May 6, 1943. It was a hasty wedding as Harold was deployed to the U.K. during WW11.
After the war, Nellie and Harold settled in Brandon, Manitoba where they raised their daughters Marlene and Geraldine.
In 1967 they decided to move to Oakville, Ontario where they settled in their house for 49 years. Nellie worked at General Electric until her retirement.
Nellie had many, many friends. She loved people and had friendships that spanned her entire lifetime. Her thoughtful and generous nature made it easy for all to love her. She loved to cook and bake and always shared her delicious creations with others.
She loved her garden and flowers and spent many hours tending to them.
She liked to sew and stitch but her great passion was knitting and crocheting. Over the years, she contributed her works to the Oakville Seniors Centre making hundreds of doilies and lap robes. Nellies also loved animals especially cats. She adopted her cats from the SPCA and also made pet blankets for the ones she had to leave behind.
Nellie’s love and devotion to her family was un-matched. Her family values and wisdom were taught through five generations solidifying her role as matriarch of her family. She loved to spend time with her family and share her stories with us. Nellie spent countless hours passing on her vast knowledge and skills to whoever wanted to learn.
We all have wonderful special memories of times spent in her kitchen while she lovingly and patiently shared her cooking and baking secrets.
Her quick wit and sense of humour always brightened the worst of days. Her intelligence and knowledge made to very easy to talk to her about any subject to which she would listen intently and share her thoughts. She always had time for her family, friends, and neighbours, no matter what she was involved in.
Nellie also suffered many losses throughout her life. The death of her father occurred in 1964 and the passing of her mother in 1998. Her brother in law, Doug Sparrow in 1993 and sadly she lost her daughter, Gerry in 2003 and her beloved husband in 2004. She endured the pain of death with sadness and dignity, while keeping their memories alive.
Nellie has touched many souls throughout her life’s journey and each one has been better just by knowing her. All will miss the sparkle in her eyes and her winning smile. Nellie’s creations are priceless and her voice is the whisper in the wind. Feel her footsteps as she walks beside you. Although Nellie has to depart from all who love her, the memories of her will live on in our hearts. We are Nellie’s legacy.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23 v. 4