STEPHANIE WISHART (GOLEBESKI)

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STEPHANIE WISHART (nee GOLEBESKI) (formerly COUSINS) With her family by her side and in the comfort of her home, Stephanie passed away peacefully on Good Friday, March 21, 2008 after a life of service as a wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. Stephanie was born on August 10, 1913 in Molson, Manitoba, the fifth of six children of William and Mary. In 1930, she married John Cousins and together they would begin raising their two children, Bob and Dianne. But in 1939, John lost his struggle with tuberculosis, leaving Stephanie to turn to her family for help and beginning a series of moves which would take her from Molson to Winnipeg. In 1957, Stephanie began a new life as a farmer's wife when she married Thomas Wishart and moved to Starbuck, Manitoba and an active life with the parish community of St. Paul's Catholic Church. Between farming, gardening and raising whatever dogs or cats moved in , they would also enjoy holidays in locales as exotic as Hawaii, Mexico and even Camp Wannakumac. Over the years, Stephanie would prove to be as strong as she was loving. One by one, her brothers Kasmir, Rufus, Mirron, Stan and sister Jennie would pass from this world to the next. She would also be predeceased by her son Bob, his wife Jeanne, and granddaughter Deborah. In 1993, husband Thomas passed away, leaving her a widow for the second time. Only the good die young,' Stephanie would later quip on her longevity. Following Thomas's passing, Stephanie moved to Winnipeg to be closer to her daughter Dianne. In short order, Stephanie would perfect her act as baker of birthday cakes as she became a truly great-grandmother to Matthew, Eric, Joshua, Christine, Grace and Marc. While her vegetable garden couldn't make the move from Starbuck to Winnipeg, she took pride in the flowers which took root in the north- forty' off of her 11th-floor balcony apartment. And just to ensure she would remain strong enough to give firm bear hugs in her nineties, she took up Tai Chai. Even as her health began to deteriorate in recent years, a smile would never be far from Stephanie's face. She never had much use for complaining or criticizing. She always loved to talk, to remember old times. She knew the importance of good friends, family and taking time to smell the flowers. Stephanie is survived by her daughter Dianne Samyn (Jacques) and grandchildren Diana Cousins (Wayne), Paul Samyn (Catherine), and Philip Samyn (Diane). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 26 at 10:30 a.m., in St. Paul The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, with Rev. Fr. Mark Tarrant presiding. A private family burial service will take place at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 24, 2008