JUDITH SONJA KARLOWSKY

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JUDITH (Judee) SONJA KARLOWSKY (nee Dashevsky) April 19, 1945 - October 21, 2006 Peacefully, after a courageous battle with cancer and with family and friends by her side, Judee's spirit continued on her journey. She is survived by her husband of 40 years Ernie; daughters Toni (Ken Brick) and Stacie and son Robin (Joanne). Grandchildren who will miss their Nana are Jordayn, Jesse, Joshua, April, Kira, Charlie, Sean, Lindsay and many great-grandchildren. Nana will also be greatly missed by her dog Coco. To guide her on her journey, she joins her mother and father Maggie and Abe Dashevsky; sister Elsie; in-laws Phyllis and Charlie Karlowsky; dog Buffy and numerous other friends and family she held close to her heart. The Judster was born and raised in Brunkild, Manitoba where she learned at an early age the responsibility of running a business by helping her Ma and Dad run their small grocery store. She moved to Winnipeg at the age of 17 where she worked as a bank teller at the Royal Bank of Canada until 1966 when she married Ernie and returned to Brunkild where she spent the next 19 years honing her culinary skills as the busy wife of a farmer. Mom worked hard raising three stepchildren and her two daughters and many would attest that you could always count on Judee to have a smile on her face if you stopped in for a visit or bumped into her around town. In 1985 the family moved to Winnipeg and Mom juggled the business of farming with the business of The Honda Trade Centre that she and Dad opened and ran until 1989. Judee took every opportunity to have fun and she and dad enjoyed travelling to various parts of the world including Japan, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia and the many road trips down to California every February to visit the small orange grove they owned and to attend the annual Tulare Farm show. Whether spending a few bucks on the slot machines or doing her never-ending pile of crossword puzzles, Mom knew how to have fun wherever she went, easily striking up conversations with people she met. She was quick to smile and many will remember the sound of her laughter coming from her kitchen where she loved to whip up dishes for the many family and friends who stopped by for a visit. Nana had a special bond with her granddaughter Jordayn, whom she spent endless hours caring for, playing with and eventually, walking to school every morning. Jordayn will miss her Nana and cherish the memories that she made with her. Mom was a fighter and never gave up hope that she would beat the cancer. Heartfelt thanks to those of you who loved and cared for Mom, providing support with phone calls, cards and visits offering words of encouragement and strength. She talked often of how wonderful it was to have so many who cared so much. Judee's funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Epiphany Lutheran Church, 200 Dalhousie Drive with Pastors Ed Mitchler and Leslie Poulin, officiating. Judee's family would like to thank the staff at the St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit for their tender and caring ways and words. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judee's memory to CancerCare Manitoba, P.O. Box 2248, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A6. Until we meet again, Nana. Have fun with Grandma Phyllis! Judee's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 24, 2006