INGRID PHILIPP

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INGRID PHILIPP At home, Ingrid, 62, entered into eternity in the arms of her loving husband Klaus on the morning of February 16, 2002 after a fierce two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, an as yet invincible foe. Besides her devoted husband, she leaves to mourn her untimely passing relatives and many, many friends in both Canada and Germany. When her illness became known, she was swept up in a wave of love and sympathy. If the power of prayers had been proportional to their number, Ingrid would be alive and well today. Ingrid came to Canada in search of greater happiness than she had known. But it was not to be, for she had left behind too much and too many. After her immigration in 1968, she worked for Courier Press with great dedication for 23 years. She had accepted responsibility for her parents upon their retirement in 1973 and, after the early death of her mother, cared for her aging father until her approaching end made it impossible for her to continue serving. Ingrid was a truly gentle lady. Her unassuming manner is perhaps best illustrated by her answer when asked, as a little girl, what she wanted for her birthday: "Ein Bluemchen und ein Ei." It engendered respect and affection from most everyone who got to know her. She found fulfilment in tending her beloved home and flowers. It was only in her final fight for life that her extraordinary strength and fortitude came to the fore. As late as last June, in her emaciated state, she saved Klaus from certain death by drowning and hypothermia in the cold waters of Lake Winnipeg in a raging gale. She endured endless travels, countless medical procedures, overwhelming nausea and continuous pain without a single complaint or a moment of despair. With her indomitable will she began a new treatment only two days before her passing and walked to the bathroom a mere 30 minutes before taking her last breath. Heartfelt thanks to all you well-wishers and special thanks for their inspired treatment and care to Drs. C. L. Wiseman, A. Hoffman and M. McMonigle of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. S. Chung of Vancouver, BC, and Drs. R. Blouw, A. Micflikier, C. Mihalcioiu, B. Wiesenthal, P. Harris, C. Loepp, J. Lipschitz, B. Zabolotny, and F. Crow of Winnipeg, many consulting physicians, most notably Drs. Hans and Ingeborg Jacobs of Germany, and pharmacists, nurses, other health care workers and administrative staff in Los Angeles, Vancouver and Winnipeg who, while too numerous to mention by name, made too significant a contribution to remain unacknowledged. The work done by these professionals was admirable. Their efforts proved futile, but they came so close to vanquishing this one remaining incurable cancer. Even medically non-educated friends contributed to Ingrids survival by offering helpful advice, unknown even to the professionals, based on their own experiences. The combined effort made towards saving Ingrids life reached truly epic proportions. Cremation has taken place on February 19 at Chapel Lawn. Prediger Gerhard Friesen will hold a memorial service at the Bethania Personal Care Home, Ingrids second home, at 19:00 hours on February 28. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should you wish to make a donation, please direct it to the Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1045 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7. Ruhe in Frieden, mein Schatz. First class services have been rendered by Glen Eden Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 23, 2002