ANNIE GRUSZECKY

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ANNIE GRUSZECKY Peacefully on June 21, 2007, Annie passed away at the Concordia Hospital after a brief stay at the hospital. Annie is survived by sons, Richard Shachtay of Chicago, IL, Billy and Bobby; daughter Stella (John) Karr; grandchildren, Tracy, Victoria, Christine, Matthew, Amber, Shyla and Kirsty; great-grandson Joshua; sisters, Kay Tereck, Nellie Oberton, Elsie (Kaz) Glisinski; brothers, John (Gail) Lazarenko, Harry (Judy) Lazarenko; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband John in 1998; father William in 1953; mother Mary in 1979; brothers, Nick in 2005, Tom in 2003 and Mike in 1993; former husband Mike in 2001. Annie was born on July 8, 1919 on the homestead in New Valley, west of Arborg, MB. She was the second child to William and Mary Lazarenko and attended New Valley School No. 2106. Life was not easy for homesteaders, Annie had to do farm chores before and after school. They had to clear two acres of bush per year or the land would be repossessed under the Homesteader permit. At a young age Annie married Mike Shachtay in 1936, together they had two children, Richard and Stella, built a house and moved to Ontario to work at a bush camp, later settling in Winnipeg. After Annie and Mike parted, Annie met and married John Gruszecky, moved to Larder Lake, ON and had two sons, Billy and Bobby. John worked in a gold mine for a number of years then the family travelled back to Winnipeg. Annie was a survivor and a fighter who never believed in being a quitter; such as when in November of 2003, she survived a major fire at her former home and was on life support for numerous weeks. The doctors said her chances of survival were slim to none, but she was determined to fight the odds against her and she did. Other illnesses started to take its toll and therefore she moved to Kildonan Personal Care Home. Annie loved and cared for all she knew. Even in sickness she would joke with staff and nurses, and they all loved her for that. Annie finally succumbed to her illness telling her children, brother and sister, I love you all and I am going down on a new road . A special thanks to Al Perun who was like a son to Annie and was at her bedside for many hours, with her son Bob, to give comfort during her journey. Also thanks to all the family and friends who spent time with Annie. Finally thanks to Concordia Hospital, Deer Lodge and Kildonan Personal Care Home for the best care they could possibly give to Annie. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Annie's memory to CancerCare Manitoba. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 26, 2007