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STEPHANIE SOWAK (SLONECKY)
Born: Nov 01, 1929
Date of Passing: Jul 07, 2020
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to Winnipeg Humane Society
STEPHANIE SOWAK
Stephanie Sowak (nee Slonecky) was born in Winnipeg, November 1, 1929, marrying her prince charming, Daddy Ross, June 27, 1952 in Toronto. Over 65 years of marriage, they built family and homes, working hard to provide as best they could.
Nobody had a better work ethic than Mom. She was amazing, beautiful, classy, dignified, private, and proud. Mom had a fine soprano voice, singing solo in choirs. She was a master gardener, making the sorriest of plants blossom at a glance. She was a great crafter, cook and baker. She professionally handled executive secretarial and administrative jobs.
Over time, Mom and Dad bowled at the St. Joe's club, golfed in Winnipeg, Arizona, Alberta, BC, and held famous crib marathons with late Uncle Bill and Wanda Koscielnuk. Mom so enjoyed our travel trailers, Falcon Lake cottage, Arizona house and vacays in America, Mexico, and Europe via our timeshare up Panorama Resort.
Mom lived for her big yards on the periphery of the Rossmere golf course and in St. Albert, Alberta.
She was incredibly loyal to friends and family, her bestie for decades being the late Sylvia Anthony. Stephanie took tender care of her mother Pauline, her sister Mary, and her children. We were blessed, provided with various lessons, sports, arts and culture. Mom loved opera, symphony, big band and might be caught humming to Luciano Pavarotti! She and Dad adored children and dogs, sharing values honed in Winnipeg's north end.
In her final years, Mom tended to her yards, Arizona fruit trees, pretty parish garden. She volunteered and she cared for Dad. Mom and Dad ventured together to Arizona to January 2017, cherishing the good friends they made there.
Mom was highly intelligent, possessing an excellent business acumen. She invested in real estate properties. She was well versed in reading business documents. Yet, Mom was modest to the core. Our Stephanie was a wonderful woman, the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend anyone could hope for. Her legacy is her green thumb, quiet dignity and inherent goodness of heart and soul. It was Mom's famous stubborn streak that provided her with an incredible strength of character and principle, serving her well over 90 years on earth.
"Rest easy with Daddy Ross and
our other angels, darling mommy.
We will all be together again."
Cremation has occurred, with private service and luncheon to be held in Winnipeg at a later date.
Should you so desire, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or other reputable animal rights and protection organization.
"Soar beyond dear meadow, reach the clouds so bright. Leave a kiss to the sunset and bring a glorious sight. Now, my dear meadow, you may rest for a while. But tomorrow is another day, for us to laugh and smile." Adieu.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2020
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Mom: Thursday, 7 July will be 2 unbelievably short years (where DOES time ago??) since God called you home to be with dad, grandma, grandpa and grandma Malowany, Aunty Mare, Aunty Syl, Uncle Borden, Uncle Bill, Aunty Joan, Uncle Bill Koscielnuk, Wanda and countless others whom you loved so. Indeed, the last two years were difficult. COVID still cast its dark shadow upon the world. Russia invaded Ukraine. The economy remained crazy and difficult and gas prices are now higher than ever. Change has occurred. The adorable bonde kid next door (AKA Aidan Taylor) just graduated high school and is soon off to play junior hockey. It seems only yesterday he came around, wanting to help saw tree branches or wash the car. On the street there have been separations, moves. The house looks as good as I can make it. The yard is pretty, full of the fragrant pink, purple, white, and yellow flowers u so loved, petunias, geraniums, alyssum, pansies, impatiens. I just had the back deck painted, it looks great. I am still debating a move back to Winnipeg, if only part time and will be there for a visit soon. I will come to see you and dad lots and talk to you both. But none of these words nor any conversations, no matter how heartfelt, can depict how much I miss and love you and dad, how hard it has been. I've tried to be as brave and strong as possible. I have had some good support and some shocking betrayal. I believe throughout, I have inherited your strong will, independent nature and honorable ethics. I pray you and dad are resting in peaceful, joyous energy. I love you so, and know you are both with me today, tomorrow, and always. xoxo - Posted by: Barbara Jane Sowak (daughter) on: Jul 02, 2022
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Mom: Today marks your 92nd birthday. No words, be they spoken, written or played as music could possibly depict how much I miss and love you and "Daddy Ross". Indeed, I was so very blessed to have the BEST parents anyone could hope for. I wish I had appreciated you both, more. I hope I've inherited your amazingly strong will, stubborness and independence, and that those qualities will serve me well in the years ahead. As you knew, we are in a difficult time now. Courage is our friend. I am sure you and dad are proud of how much I've taken care of in the past year, how I've discovered a resilience I never knew I had. Again, thanks to you for that strength. I love you and dad today, tomorrow and forever. Happy Birthday in Heaven. May the Good Lord keep you and dad joyous, peaceful and safe. B XO - Posted by: Barbara Sowak (Daughter) on: Nov 02, 2021
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Mom.....today is an unbelievable year since God needed you to go to sleep bodily to join "Daddy Ross", my grandparents, Aunty Mary, Uncle Bill, Aunty Joan, Aunty Sylvia and Uncle Borden, Bill and Wanda, John and Nick Semeniuk, Homi and so many more loved ones in eternal joy and energy. I love and miss you so and guess what? I hope you know that the house and property look great, and the flowers I have transplanted and arranged are lovely. Soon, I'll fly to visit you and dad. In what has proven to be an unprecedented difficult time for so many I just am happy you are at peace. I will honour you and dad for the rest of my days until we meet. God bless and love you and dad so, B. xoxo. The Flower that Smiles Today, The flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow dies; All that we wish to stay, Tempts and then flies. What is this world's delight? Lightning that mocks the night, Brief even as bright. Virtue, how frail it is! Friendship how rare! Love, how it sells poor bliss. For proud despair! But we, though soon they fall, Survive their joy, and all Which ours we call. Whilst skies are blue and bright, Whilst flowers are gay, Whilst eyes that change ere night Make glad the day; Whilst yet the calm hours creep, Dream thou—and from thy sleep. Then wake to weep. Percy Bysshe Shelley - Posted by: Barbara Jane Sowak (daughter) on: Jul 07, 2021
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Although I did not know Stephanie for very long, I was happy to see her at her garden. She taught me many things and she made the BEST lemon loaf cake ever. I shall miss her kind words and smiling face when I go to the garden. May she rest in peace and my sympathy to her family and friends. Vicky from the St. Albert Parish Garden - Posted by: Vicky (Gardening friend in St. Albert) on: Aug 08, 2020
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I had the best mummy ever - there is nothing she would not do and did not do, for me. She was very independent, very modern in that she was kind of liberated before her time. She and my darling dad were total partners, if different personalities. Mom - reserved, private, businesslike. Dad - more laid back, logical, amiable, more outgoing. I am still in a state of shock as this tribute is written, July 11 for despite her years, mom was in good health. Sadly it is my belief that the horrific pandemic combined with a terrible, recessed economy where we live and my losing my work in view of those variables, stressed out mom. She suffered several progressive health issues in her final couple of weeks that were, to say the least, terribly unexpected. I hope and pray my angel mommy is with my beloved best friend, advisor and mentor daddy now, and everyone whom mom and dad respected and loved. Mom is the sweetest rose in Heaven and I will do my best to continue with her beloved garden, and her flowers and plants at home. RIP mom......mere words cannot express my love, gratitude, respect for you and my excruciating grief. I love you and will do my best to make you and dad proud and soon, you will be with dad back home in Winnipeg with dear friends around you XO 11 July 2020 - Posted by: Barbara Jane Sowak (daughter) on: Jul 11, 2020