MARY RIFFELL

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MARY RIFFELL It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Riffell (Moroz) on October 7, 2006 at Holy Family Home. Her last breath was taken surrounded with the loving hands and hearts of her family. Mary was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Henry, on May 26, 1987. Mary was born May 25, 1914 at the family homestead in Insinger, SK. She was predeceased by her father, Wasyl, in 1977 and her mother, Paraskevia (Mezinski), in 1927. Her parents had emigrated from Repuzhentsi, Bukovyna, Ukraine. When her mother died, Mary left school, then not quite 13, to care for her five younger siblings. She left home at age 15. Our mother, Baba/Granny, was a person who enjoyed her family and her home, and we enjoyed her cooking, baking, gardening, crocheting, and knitting. She was consulted many times by her family on how to cook a certain dish or what to do with a sick child. Her grandchildren enjoyed their Baba Days with her and her many trips to Vancouver. Until recently she told great stories of her life and remembered the dates of birth and marriage of everyone in the family. Mary's life was one filled with experiences, joys, and celebrations. Mary is survived by her children Donna (Ernie) Einarsson of Cowichan Bay, BC; Henry (Mary), Robert (Margaret), and Lawrence, all of Winnipeg; and Russell (Diane) of Vancouver; grandchildren Heidi (Ray), Kathryn (Glen), Michael, Sharri (Bryan), Rhonda (Mike), Jenna (Erik), and Colin; and great grandchildren Jordan, Jasmine, and Jennifer. Mary was the eldest of 20 children and is survived by siblings Emma, Mike (Adella), Matt (Margaret), Ann (Alec), Adele (Ray), Meroslow (Marion), Walter (Natalie), Jim (Ilene), Iris (Vic), Peter (Judi), and Jerry (Judy). She was also pre-deceased by her step mother Dora; sisters Annie, Bella, Kay, and Olga; brothers Alex, Peter, Bill, and Alec; and brothers-in-law John, Herb, and Alex. The family wishes to thank the St. Francis Unit of Holy Family Home where Mary resided for the last 1-½ years. They embraced her with loving and caring arms as their own Baba, especially nurses June, Cathy, Joan, Kathy, Veronica, Helen, and Karen; and her care attendants Debbie, Susie, Magda, Justina, Marina, Lori, Sophie, Vera, Theresa, Lydia, and Luba. Thank you also to her home care attendant, Linda. We regret we do not know the names of everyone who kindly cared for Mary. It is with Thanksgiving and tears that we invite family and friends to gather and remember with us her life on October 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, with interment and reception to follow. Flowers gratefully declined in favour of donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., or Holy Family Home, 165 Aberdeen Ave. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2006