ELISABETH SUZANNE EWONCHUK (REES)

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ELISABETH SUZANNE EWONCHUK (nee REES) With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Lisa Suzanne Ewonchuk on February 20, at her family's second home in Fisher Branch. Lisa was born in Winnipeg on August 24, 1962 and has filled the world with sunshine ever since. She met the love of her life, Mark and they were married August 23, 1985. Lisa and Mark joyfully brought Stephanie and Rees into their world and Lisa was always a devoted and dedicated mother who championed the role of a stay at home mom, and took great pride in the accomplishments of her children. For 22 years, she was a loving and steadfast companion to her husband Mark making a life with him in Winnipeg to Calgary and back to Winnipeg. The two together shared many dreams for the future and were looking forward to all that was to come. Their eventual plan was to retire in Fisher Branch. She is survived by her parents Betty and Tom and her sisters Juli (Frank), Tracy (Dennis) and Andrea (Darren). Lisa will be missed by nieces Aimey, Kyla, Erin, Ashley, Krystyl, and Haley as well as nephews Grant, Adam, TJ and Drew and great nieces Brooklyn and Rylie. She is predeceased by her grandmother Kathleen with whom she had a special bond and her cherished Uncles Frank, Clifford and Tom. Lisa loved being in the water. In her early years most summers she could be found swimming at Winnipeg Beach. During her teen years she participated in competitive level diving at the Pan Am Pool that took her to the Junior Olympics. Lisa spent many happy hours at the East Kildonan YMCA where she was a Lifesaver Leader teaching hundreds of community children to swim. She was at home in the water and it showed as she could move through the water with the grace and power of a dolphin. Lisa's soul space was in nature and she always marveled at its wonder. She loved camping, gardening, hiking, horseback riding with Tracy and photographing nature. Lisa's favorite time was at Fisher Branch, with the love of her family while among nature, tending cattle and observing wildlife. Lisa especially enjoyed her hummingbirds and looked forward to their return each year. Lisa had the conscience and spirit of a true community activist. She was president of her neighborhood advisory group during her years in Calgary (1987 - 1996) and successfully organized and led a community response to zoning changes in her EK community. Most recently, she was enthused to be involved with a project to increase wellness services in the Fisher branch area for her students and residents. Much of Lisa's community advocacy revolved around her love of children. Lisa volunteered as a Girl Guide leader and led several of her nieces into earning a chest full of badges. She led campaigns to build a community center, fund a park and recreation program and develop and install a children's play ground. The last several years she worked with developmentally disabled children loving and nurturing each of her special kids. Lisa had the ability to make friends easily while always treasuring old ones. She was very close with Calla and Shirley and they maintained a close relationship which spanned over three decades and many geographical separations. She was close to her parents and often went on traveling adventures with her mother. Lisa and her mother had so many similarities that it was often like looking in a mirror. The four sisters spent much time together often communally parenting each other's children. Each of the nieces and nephews has treasured memories to share about their time with Auntie Lisa. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 1:00 pm in chapel of Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave. In lieu of flowers the family would ask that you plant a tree in Lisa's memory or make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM 220 Hespeler @ Henderson Hwy 668-3151

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 24, 2008