ZDENKA GOBA (GALICKOVA)

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ZDENKA GOBA (nee GALICKOVA) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Zdenka on September 12, 2012 in Opava, Czech Republic. She was a wonderful person, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Zdenka was diagnosed with the terminal illness, Pulmonary Fibrosis approximately six years ago. Zdenka was born in Prostejov, Czechoslovakia on February 27, 1939. She lost her mother at the young age of 10. Zdenka studied to become a pediatric nurse in Opava. She met her husband Henry while working at an orphanage in Krnov, Czechoslovakia and they were married on August 9, 1958. They moved back to Opava and had their only child Eva (Smith) on June 2, 1960. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union, they immigrated to Canada on December 13, 1968. They lived in Little Saskatchewan and Fairford, Manitoba for the first three years while Henry taught elementary. They then moved to Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba in 1972 where Zdenka worked in the hospital. They became grand-parents to Shayla (Vokey) on July 16, 1980. In 1986 they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba and she began working at the Grace Hospital until she retired in 1995. They then purchased a condo in Opava and began travelling there every year, and would visit Henry's mother (Great Granny) and many friends, many from her childhood. On September 3, 2006, Zdenka was thrilled to include Chris (Vokey) as her grandson-in-law. Zdenka was an avid skier, dancer, traveller and dog lover. She was able to travel throughout most of Europe and North America during her marriage. When she could no longer ski, she would sit in the chalet at Frost Fire in North Dakota, watching everyone else ski and making more friends. Many weekends were spent ballroom dancing and will always be remembered for stealing the show at Chris and Shayla's wedding. Having a special place in her heart for dogs, she was always happy to visit with her "great granddogs", Stella and Miller. There will be a private family service where her ashes will be placed at Thomson In the Park on McGillivray Blvd. A celebration of life will be held December 1 at the Canadian Czech-Slovak Benevolent Association, 154 McKenzie St. For more information, please contact Shayla at 204-475-7921 or shaylavokey@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the The Winnipeg Humane Society in Zdenka's honour. In life we loved you dearly, In death we love you still, In our hearts you hold a place that no one can ever fill.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 06, 2012