IRMA MARIA WABICK (RUBERECHT)

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IRMA MARIA WABICK (nee RUBERECHT) November 10, 1926 - February 4, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on February 4, 2008, at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, MB. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Diane (Howard) Kroetsch, Kenneth, Joseph, and Alison Minaker who thought of her as My Other Mother ; grandchildren, Kimberley (Brian Hurley), Dana (Matt Tartal) and Sabrina (Gavin Pelley) Kroetsch and Stanly Wabick; and great-grandchildren, Ericka and Samantha Kroetsch. Irma was predeceased by her husband Steve, her parents, Cyriel and Leontine, and brother Willy. She will also be missed and remembered by her surviving relatives in Belgium. Mom was born and raised in Heist op den Berg, Antwerp, Belgium where she met her husband Steve while he served with Canadian Army in the Second World War. They were married on December 31, 1945. Mom was one of those courageous women who left everything she knew behind and boarded the Queen Mary to come to Canada to start her new life. Mom and Dad settled on the farm near Birnie, Manitoba, where they started their family when Diane was born. They later moved to Winnipeg where they added Ken and Joe to their clan. Mom worked for more than 30 years in the garment industry until her retirement in 1988. When Mom came to Canada she couldn't read or speak English, yet through her own determination and perseverance she taught herself the language. She was a voracious reader who had eclectic tastes ranging from Solzhenitsyn, to Robbie Burns, to Penny Vincenzi. She spent many enjoyable hours of her retirement working on crossword puzzles at the kitchen table and encouraging her children to help' her by feeding them softball questions, often exclaiming, Oh! Come on! in mock exasperation when we couldn't keep pace with her brilliance. Mom was a strong woman who faced adversity throughout her life, head-on with courage and resolve, and without complaint. She was extremely proud of her family, relishing their accomplishments and the fact they were able to pursue opportunities that were not available to her. Mom's spirited personality left an indelible impression on anyone she met. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Bonnie, Linda, Karen, Helen, Jessica, Barb, Arlene, Marlene, Cheryl and the rest of the angels on the 3E Wing at Riverview for making Mom feel safe and comfortable during her last days. The care and compassion shown by Dr. Gingerich and Denise Campbell at CancerCare Manitoba, Drs. DaSilva and Garcia, and Marianne and Timmalee from Home Care was appreciated and will be gratefully remembered. According to Mom's wishes, cremation has already taken place. In keeping with her request, there will be no funeral service. Mom loved animals, especially dogs, so if you would like to honour her memory, a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society would be sincerely appreciated. Cropo Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2008