Lucille Fulton

Anna Lucille Fulton (nee Goodwin) was born on September 2, 1953, to parents  Charlie & Hilda Goodwin (then) of Miniota, MB.  Lucille was welcomed to the  family by older sisters, Carol and Linda.  Seven years later, it was Lucille’s turn to be the big sister, when brother Martin joined the family.

Lucille attended the Miniota School from Kindergarten to Grade 9.  Lucille attended the Birtle Collegiate for Grades 10 – 12.  While in Grade 10, a young man in Grade 11 caught Lucille’s eye and with the help of a friend, she asked the young man to the Sadie Hawkins dance.  That was the beginning of her love affair with Ken Fulton.  Ken and Lucille got engaged when Ken was in Grade 12 and Lucille was in Grade 11.

Following Lucille’s high school graduation, both she and Ken moved to Brandon to attend Assiniboine Community College.  Lucille took what was then called a Secretarial Course and Ken took the heavy-duty mechanic course.

Ken & Lucille returned to Birtle with Ken working on family farm with his father & brother.  Lucille worked at the Law office of J.W Pratt.  And they lived in the apartment above the law office.

On April 7, 1973, Ken and Lucille got married in a private ceremony (some might say that they eloped) with only 2 close friends, the Minister & his wife in attendance.

On April 30, 1975, Ken and Lucille welcomed their first daughter, Tara.  In 1978, Ken & Lucille built their forever home at SE 19-16-26. 

The family grew again on March 2, 1980, when daughter Crystal made her grand entrance to the world, even before the doctor arrived in the hospital room. 

The family grew once again on August 27, 1982 when daughter Jamie was born.  Lucille was hoping for girly girls, but she got 3 girls who loved working on the farm (then & now).  If any of the girls was dressed in a dress, they usually found a mud puddle somewhere to play in.

It was in between the birth of her children, that Lucille started working as a Teller at the Birtle Credit Union (which later become Vanguard Credit Union and is now the Fusion Credit Union).  Over the next 29 years, Lucille worked her way from being a teller, to loans officer and finally the Branch Manager.  At one point, Lucille was the Branch manager for the Birtle, Foxwarren, Miniota, Rossburn and St. Lazare   branches. Lucille worked her way up through incredible hard work and taking courses and attending seminars. And of course, raising her girls and helping out on the family farm.

On November 6, 1997, Lucille received the biggest promotion earning the new title, Grandma, when grandson Zachary was born.  Lucille loved being a grandma and cherished the 5 years that Tara & Zachary lived at home with her and Ken. Lucille became a grandma for the second time on July 5, 2002 when grandson Thomas was born.  Lucille loved attending Zachary and Thomas’ activities such as Cadets, hockey and baseball and generally just doting on the boys.

After 29 years at the Credit Union, Lucille decided that she was ready for a new adventure – retirement.  Although, that did not last long. Lucille decided that she wasn’t quite ready to be retired and took a part-time position with the R.M. of Birtle, later becoming the Prairie View Municipality.  Lucille’s pet project while working at the municipal office was updating the cemetery records and working on having a columbarium created.  When Lucille wasn’t working at the municipal office, she was working with Ken on the farm.  After 7 years with the municipal office, Lucille decided that it was really time to retire.

Both Ken and Lucille were/are community minded.  Over the years, Lucille joined several organizations/committees – the Food Bank, the Ag Society, Donor’s Choice, just to name a few.  Lucille also volunteered to work in the kitchen at the rink long after her girls were grown and no longer at home.  During the last municipal election, Lucille decided to take her community spirit, her experience working at the office and from Ken’s many years as a councilor and decided to run in the election.  While on council, Lucille served on several committees, her favorite being the Parkland Regional Library committee.  Lucille was an avid reader and was a frequent visitor to the Birtle Library.  Lucille served as a councilor up until her passing.

In Lucille’s retirement, she took on a more active role on the family farm, helping Ken out on a daily basis.  When she wasn’t working on the farm, she participated in events such as floor curling.

Lucille inherited her father’s love of gardening and of lilies.  She was very proud of her flowers and spent countless hours tending to her garden.  Lucille passed the  gardening gene along to Tara & Crystal.

Lucille passed away in the Russell Hospital on July 19, 2024 following a brief battle with lung cancer.

Lucille was predeceased by her parents, Charlie & Hilda, in-laws Harvey & Millie Fulton, brother-in-laws Gary, Bill & Rick, sister-in-law, Carla, and several aunts & uncles, including close uncle, Lloyd Wotton.

Lucille will be missed, but very lovingly remembered by her husband of 51 years, Ken, daughters Tara (Todd), Crystal (Matt), Jamie, grandsons Zachary (Madi), Thomas (Jaela), great-granddaughter, Aurora, sisters Carol (Bob), Linda, sister-in-law, Terry, brother Martin (Roxanne), nieces & nephews, Angela, Rob, Darcy,   Andrea, Mark, Jill, Tim, Charlie & Michelle, as well as many cousins and very special friends, Bev, Myrtle, Judy and Roberta.