November 18, 1941 ~ October 31, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing at Pinawa Hospital of our dear Mom, Nanny and Amma after a brief battle with cancer.
Left to cherish Mom’s memory are her son Grant (Kathy), daughter Shannon (Randy), daughter-in-law Georgia (Marina, Logan and Kelsey), grandchildren Anthony (Allison), Alia (Bryce), Austin (Naomi), Nick (Kenzie) and Dane, great-grandchildren Grace, Henry, Bowen and Isla. She also leaves her brother Bruce Malyk (Debbie), special “sisters” Marlene Rollins and Beatrice Holm (Allan), and “daughter” Pat McKetchen (Bill), sisters-in-law Laurel Torgerson, Hazel Pohl and JoAnne Hirst, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mom will also be dearly missed by close friend Ruth Monych. She was also very fond of her granddogs.
Blythe was born in Winnipeg on November 18, 1941 to Nick and Nora Rudy. She was raised in Lac du Bonnet, where she made many lifelong friends who knew her as Chickie. She worked in Winnipeg for a short time prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, Glen Hirst, on April 15, 1961. Together they raised three children and she was proud to be the first lady of Lac du Bonnet for 19 years, during the time that Glen was Mayor. Blythe worked at the local Canada Post Office for 29 years, while raising her family. She was thrilled to become a Nanny in 1988 when Anthony was born. She continued to welcome four more grandchildren and was very dedicated to them; teaching them to play crib with her and Papa, sitting on the dock watching them swim for hours, having late-night sleepovers and attending their activities. The only thing better to her than becoming a Nanny was when she became an Amma to her four precious great-grandchildren. She took so much pride in her family and loved spending time with the kids. Blythe enjoyed good conversations, reading, doing crosswords, watching true crime shows and she loved her club soda.
Welcoming Mom home are her husband Glen (2009), son Calvin (2021), her parents, stepfather Edward Malyk, in-laws Gordon Hirst, Ralph and Loreley Bogle, Allan and Mayme Hirst, Myrtle and Victor Helgason, Rosalie and Stan Szmerski, Ronald Hirst, Arnold and Joan Hirst, Bob Pohl, Durwood Rollins and Jerry Torgerson.
We are very thankful to Dr. Alexander, Dr. Dinakis, Dr. Ravi, Dr. Atoyebi, the nurses and staff at Pinawa, Pine Falls and Selkirk hospitals for their care, kindness and compassion throughout. A special thanks to Dr Papetti for her personal care, including home visits, during Mom’s time of need.
Memorial service to be held at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre, Lac du Bonnet, MB, on Friday, November 10 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Blythe’s memory to the Lac du Bonnet Arena or a charity of your choice.
“You do the best you can, even when you think you can’t, and that dear Mom is not failing. You were amazing.”
“Nanny, it is our turn to shine your light on the rest of the world, so you may rest in peace.”
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Bonnie and Norbert
A very special woman, who raised an incredible beautiful kind fun family. It was a privilege to know her and to get to spend time with. She was proud of her family who will forever be her lasting legacy. With our sincere condolences Bonnie and Norbert
Sharon Martin
My condolences to the family.
Charlie sally hirst
Very sad day to hear mom passed she a gem in your families pocket she will be sincerely missed by you all the sad fact cancer has no mercy and she has free of pain and. Has joined her heavenly family rember she’ll always be looking down to guide you thro this pain of her passing chickee had a fruitful life that made her what she was a great mom and especialygrandma bless her soul
Norma Hladki
Sincere condolences and a big hug to all of you on the loss of a very special lady. Norma & Donnie
Carol Lackman
I worked with Glen for many years at Agassiz and he always spoke so lovingly of Chickie. I am blessed to have known both of them. You had such loving, wonderful parents. Hugs to you all!
Janice Hoffman
My most sincere condolences on Chickie’s passing. We shared a lot of Hockey games over the years. She was a special lady and will be missed. Hugs to all of you.
Jan Hoffman
Lynn & Andy Usackis
So very, very sorry to hear of Chickie’s passing. We had wonderful visits with her on every visit to LdB while she lived across the street from Mom. She will sure be missed.
Joyce Simcoe
My sincere condolences to all of Chickie’s family.
Chickie was a very kind hearted lady and will be missed by many.
Hugs to all.
Jean Downie
Condolences to Family and Friends
She was a Kind and Caring Person
Jean Downie
Patricia Eronen
Chickie. You were so welcoming to Eero, myself and
D Eric jr many a July long weekend. You will be missed.
Kevin & Kim Champagne
Shannon, Randy and Family
Condolences to you all at this time of great sadness. Our thoughts are with you.
Frank Hirst jr
So sorry to hear this. She was truly a beautiful person!
Frank and Debb Hirst
Hay River, NWT
Joanne Adams
Sincere condolences to all of Chickie’s family. It has been years since I was in Lac du Bonnet. When my husband Earl ( deceased April 2022) and I visited family there, Cousin Glenn and Chickie always treated us like royalty. I know he was waiting for her with open arms. May God bless you all as you come to terms with this tragic loss. Much love,
Joanne Hirst- Adams – (Frank’s daughter)
Cathy OIlive
Sincerest Sympathy to all of Chickie’s family & friends during this sad time of loss. May precious memories, along with time help to ease your pain. She was always so friendly, positive & supportive.
Gale and Aĺfred
May she rest in peace. She will be missed by many. It seems like we just were discussing which one of would be first to go,
Of the 4 of us. We were high school friends who remained friends forever it seemed. I guess we don’t get to decide. CHICKEE was the first to go. And we thought she would be the last. She was always so positive and loving. We miss her already
Doreen Langford
My deepest condolences to Grant and family. Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Sending hugs.