ANNA IWASZKIW

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ANNA IWASZKIW It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our mother and grandmother at Seven Oaks Hospital on Thursday, December 27, 2007. She had resided at the St. Joseph's Residence since April of 2006. She leaves to mourn her children, Mary Wiesner (Jim), Alice Craig (Kelvin Johnstone), Linda Starodub (Wally), Michael Iwaszkiw (Sherry) and her two grandchildren, James and Darryll. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph in March of 2005. Mom truly loved and embraced life, never losing that twinkle in her eye. She had enormous energy and a great sense of humour. She loved meeting and chatting with people. Her daily walks often were lengthy as she stopped to talk with people and to feed their dogs treats. She enjoyed shopping with her daughters especially the day trips to Grand Forks. She had charm, could be outspoken but still very gentle, gracious and dignified. Her essence was one of selflessness. She cared so deeply about others and expressed that in her cooking, her friendships and most of all her family. Visitors were always welcomed with bite to eat . She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and always put her family first. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She enjoyed caring for them in their younger years and then looked forward to attending any special sports event they would partake in. Life was not easy for her in her later years, but she had tremendous strength, perseverance and courage. Mom was born on March 10, 1923 in Pocicz, Western Ukraine. She left her home at a young age leaving her mother behind whom she never saw again. Often she would share her stories about her family. She took great pride in her culture and passed this on to her children. Life was difficult particularly during the Second World War, an experience that left an indelible impression on Mom. She understood the value of family and hard work for the rest other life. She often shared these experiences with her children. Mom married Dad on June 10, 1950 in Belgium. They moved to Canada in 1951 to seek a better life and settled in Winnipeg. For years they worked hard together to raise their family. They spent the next 55 years together until Dad's untimely passing on March 8, 2005. Life was difficult for her after Dad's passing as she truly missed him. Mom worked in various jobs during her life from working in the crop fields in Germany, being a maid who managed a large family household in Belgium to her last job as a caretaker at the University of Manitoba. She treasured many memories from her experience working at the University of Manitoba. She enjoyed socializing with students and staff. Anna's family would like to extend gratitude to those staff at St. Joseph's Residence who cared for mom and especially those that brightened' her day with humour and wit. Prayers will be said on Wednesday, January 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, January 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 115 McGregor. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anna's memory to the Children's Wish Foundation. Mother You can only have one mother, Loving kind and true, No other friend in all the world, Will be so true to you, For all her love and kindness, She asked nothing in return, If all the world deserted us, To our mother we could turn, For those of you who have a mother, Treasure her with care, For you will never know her value, 'Til you see she's not there, To hear her voice, To see her smile, To sit and talk with her for awhile, To be together in the same old way, Would be our dearest wish today, WE LOVE YOU MOM! VICHYNAYA PAMYAT CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2007