GERALDINE CATHERINE PASKEWITZ (SMITH)

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GERALDINE CATHERINE PASKEWITZ (nee SMITH) March 27, 1926 - December 5, 2005 Our wonderful mother passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2005, at the age of 79, surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren. Mom was born in Winnipeg in 1926, the eldest child of Ron and Ruth Smith, and graduated from St Mary's Academy in 1943. Mom and Dad met during the Second World War, when Dad was on leave from the Navy, and she swept him off his feet with her charm, beauty and wit. While the two were attending university after the war, Dad sought out and won Mom's heart and they were married on September 18, 1947. With marriage, Mom's priorities changed from books to family, as she and Dad set out to raise a large one, never imagining this would ultimately result in 11 children. After 19 years of marriage, Mom decided to go back to University to complete her Arts degree, majoring in Anthropology. Though Mom spent most of her life in Winnipeg, she and Dad were well travelled and enjoyed experiencing new and different cultures, including 13 years in Thetford Mines, QC. In recent years, Mom told us that she had done everything she had ever wanted to do. Among her many hobbies were drama in high school, debating at university, and a lifelong love of antiques, miniatures, pop-up books and gardening. Mom was also active in sports, basketball in her youth, tennis, golf, cross-country skiing, curling and fly-fishing for Atlantic salmon, her first catch a 23 pound salmon on the Matapedia River in the Gaspe. Mom was an intensely loyal and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She had little time for herself over the years, but she was always there for those she loved. Mom was our role model, advisor, protector and friend. She was always a gracious host and knew how to keep a crowd entertained, and boy could she tell a great ghost story! Mom is survived by her husband Eugene; her children, Daria (Jim) McLean, Rita (Wayne) Hildahl, Greg (Jill), Michael, Martin, Paul (Ireene), Monica, Theresa (Dave) Heffler, Cecilia (John) Elder, Philip, Barbara (Don) McGillis; her grandchildren, Ryan and Patrick Gaborieau; Paul, Mark, Karen and Thomas Hildahl; Jayne, Susan, Laura, Annie and Sarah Paskewitz; Michael J. Paskewitz; Terry and Julia Peristerakis, Luke, Max and Theo Heffler; and Melanie McGillis; brother Paul (Marianne) Smith and sisters, Anne Monica Smith, Gail (Vic) Coyston and Lynne (Dave) Emeny, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. We would like to thank the surgical department at the Health Sciences Centre, especially Dr. Lipschitz and the nursing staff on H3; CancerCare Manitoba, especially Dr. Maksymiuk, Pat Gray and Pat Benjaminson, as well as all of the nurses on the Chemotherapy Unit; and more recently, the Palliative Care staff for their warmth and compassion, not only for Mom, but for the whole family during the final weeks. To them our heartfelt thanks. A mass celebrating Mom's life was held on Thursday, December 8, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, followed by interment in Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to CancerCare or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 10, 2005