PHILOMENA MCCABE (PHYLLIS)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PHILOMENA MCCABE (PHYLLIS) December 14, 1923 - April 18, 2010 It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we say good-bye to our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and friend. Peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's, her family by her side, Philomena McCabe left us for a better place; her life is one to be celebrated. Phyllis will be reunited with her beloved husband Paddy and is predeceased by brothers Arthur, Bernard and Billy, sisters Agnes, Kathleen and Mary. Left to cherish her memory is her sister Benny in England, her children: Madeline (Don) Faso, Patricia (Terry) Shaw and Patrick; grandchildren: Kathy (Paul), Michael (Cara), Jay, Brendan, Dana (Dean), Tyler (Dana) and Jay; great-grandchildren: Jayde, Jackson, Yogi, Daphne, Naija, Rocco and Bianca; her lifelong friend Beryl Henry and family, Joe, Peg Smyth and family in Ireland and also the Nolan Family in Toronto, along with many many friends and extended family from Canada, Belfast and England. Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she was faced with tragedy and struggles at an early age, she grew up fast supporting and fending for herself at 14. She married Paddy in 1944 and immigrated to Canada in 1954 where she lived and raised her family for the remainder of her life. Her life was one of work and family, she worked hard all her life, holding down two jobs for most of it, starting as a car hop at the Pony Corral, working at Crown Cleaners at night (often with her children in tow) and ended up at the Health Sciences Centre in The Rehab as the Manager of Cafeteria, where she was known and loved by all; doctors, staff and patients. Her quick wit and humour kept us all in stitches and even in her saddest hours she had a joke or funny story to tell. She had a passion and talent for knitting baby clothes for her grandchildren and sweaters of all kinds for those she loved. An honorary life long member of the Irish Association of Manitoba she never missed a St. Paddy's Day celebration and won many BINGO games on Thursday nights, the luck of the Irish with her. She never forgot her heritage and had the good strong values of a true Irish woman. Her faith in God carried her through many trials in her life, and always trusted He would take care of her and her family. Family was her greatest joy, nothing was more important, always stating her grandchildren were her bonus in life. Her kind and generous nature was felt by all who knew her, she always had a kind word and time for anyone who needed it, even those who had done her wrong. She gave to anyone she could even when she had very little herself. She was the rock of her family, whom everyone depended on for love, support and advice - traits she was never in short supply of. Her passing will leave a hole in many lives, but we are all better for knowing her. Her love will always be with us and she will never be forgotten. Mom, Grandma you will never know how special you were and how fortunate we were to have you in our lives. Rest peacefully. The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to all the nurses, caregivers and staff on Rosewalk at Misericordia Place for all their love and special care, your kindness will always be remembered, and to Father Vince and Theresa Campbell for their spiritual guidance over the past few years. On Saturday, April 24, 2010, please join us to celebrate Phyllis' Life at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Ave., at 11:00 a.m. with viewing one hour prior to service. Interment to follow at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens and reception at The Irish Club, 654 Erin St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society of Manitoba, Unit 7-414 Westmount Dr., Winnipeg, MB R2J 1P2. You were an angel here on earth and now you are one in heaven GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2010