Obituary of DEREK LYNDON STEELE

DEREK LYNDON STEELE

MARCH 17, 1993 - DECEMBER 6, 2021

With profound shock and deepest grief, the parents of Derek Lyndon Steele announce their son’s tragic, accidental passing on December 6^th, 2021 at the age of 28.

Derek was our little shamrock, born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1993. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Tania Steele of Transcona, his father Dennis Steele (wife Tanya), half brother Justin and step brother Dylan of Brooks, Alberta. Derek is lovingly remembered by his Grandmothers, Evelyn Boode, Sonia Lutzek, grandfather Elwyn Steele as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, even many more friends and his special family pets, especially Caesar. Derek was predeceased by his great grandparents and then by his grandfather, James Lee Boode in 2013. Also, his beloved dog, Jet and cat, Mojo, with whom he shared a rare and special bond.

Derek was raised in Transcona, then the family moved to a hobby farm near Ile des Chenes, MB where he had a motley crew of farm critters, he called friends. Derek adored riding his palomino pony, Buddy. Most days, he was often found on some type of adventure, climbing apple trees in the orchard, herding chickens, collecting eggs from the henhouse, playing naked as a Jaybird in the horse trough in the summer, hiking the pasture with his dogs, Tasha and Rex or putting up fence with dad in the back 40. Making straw bale forts in the hayloft, searching for kittens and playing hide and seek with his friends and cousins were a big highlight of his young days.

Derek and his mom moved back to Transcona after the Flood of 1997, when their property was ravaged by the waters of the Red River. He found solace in the Whiteshell, camping often at Falcon and Caddy Lakes and in Northwestern Ontario. Derek enjoyed fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, XC skiing and snowshoeing. Many weekends were spent on the trails at Birds Hill Park and in the Pembina Valley or going hunting with his dad, uncles and cousins.

At age 12, Derek was stricken by an extremely rare and deadly brain infection, which he battled and conquered with dignity and courage. None of that would have been possible without the support of the doctors and staff of Children’s Hospital, CK5. Derek possessed a great interest for World War II history. After recovering sufficiently, The Dream Factory granted Derek his wish to go to The Normandie American Cemetery in Colleville-Sur-Mer, France with his family so he could pay homage to where the troops stormed the D-Day Beaches.  

Derek loved going to school and playing soccer where he effortlessly made many friends, including teachers while attending John W. Gunn and Transcona Collegiate, most of whom most would remember his silly sense of humour, empathy toward a struggling fellow classmate and for his infectious illuminating smile. Derek was especially close to his grandmother Evelyn, and they often enjoyed shopping together.

Derek and his mother shared a deep, mutual love of nature and a sense of compassion and advocacy for animals. They had a very special, unique and unspoken weirdness in their sense of humour, could “read each other’s minds” and were often seen giggling together for reasons unknown to anybody else. Derek was to become a Journeyman Electrician and worked various jobs but his existing health struggles changed the direction of his dreams and goals as he moved towards adulthood.

Private cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Derek’s life is planned for summer 2022 in July (date TBA), at the town of St. Claude, Manitoba, where interment will occur. A lively gathering will follow in keeping with the spark for life Derek had. Flowers are gratefully declined however; donations will be accepted by Derek’s parents to go towards a Memorial Legacy Bench in Derek’s honour.

NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY

Nature’s first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

-Robert Frost