PAULA HUISMAN

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PAULA HUISMAN Peacefully in the early hours of February 24, 2016, our mom, Paula Huisman, passed away at Boundary Trails Health Centre in southern Manitoba. As with all things in her life, she left us on her terms and exactly as she wanted ... in her sleep, in comfort, and with Dad holding her hand at her side. Born July 31, 1945 in Amsterdam, Holland, Mom came to Canada on her own as an independent 18-year old young woman looking for a fresh start in a new country. Upon arriving in her new hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, she quickly immersed herself in the Dutch community, which is where she met Dad (Butch). They married not long after and quickly welcomed the arrival of their first son, Rick, followed three years later with second son Tom. Always incredibly giving of her time, both to her family and community, Mom received an honorary lifetime membership in the Dutch Canadian Society of Manitoba in recognition of 30-plus years of dedicated volunteer service that involved many Folkloramas, Klaverjassen card clubs, bowling leagues, and her famous Sinterklaas parties each Christmas season. From the most modest and humble of beginnings, Mom and Dad built a life and family together that would endure for 50 years. Along the way the two also established their own carpet sales and installation business that afforded them a life that neither would have imagined prior to leaving Holland, and that would provide more than ever was needed for their two sons. Mom and Dad eventually moved to Beauty Bay in Ontario's Lake of the Woods where Mom would spend many hours tending to her garden during the summer and then drive the van and spend the winter months in Florida where she would often be the social director for so many events at their home away from home at Sugar Beach Condominiums in Panama City Beach, Florida. The lung cancer diagnosis came in summer 2015 and Mom met that challenge and obstacle like every other she faced before, with a strength and courage that was often unseen. Champagne was popped just two weeks ago when test results showed the cancer had reduced significantly in size and plans were beginning to be made again for the summer. But suddenly and without notice, while visiting dear friends Max and Edith in La Riviere, Manitoba, her body began to betray her and she was rushed to Boundary Trails last Wednesday. She called her boys to break the news that she would not be leaving the hospital alive and that she loved them and their families dearly. Dr. Joe Lines and the staff at Boundary Trails ensured Mom's final days were comfortable, and with Dad by her side, she bid farewell to "a good life". At her request, Mom's body has been given to science; no funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation (http://bthcfoundation.com/memory-tree/)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2016