MARY GRABOWSKI

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MARY GRABOWSKI (formerly SANDULAK) (nee SHIPP) 1916 - 2008 Peacefully and with dignity our beloved mother passed away in the presence of family and love at River Park Gardens Personal Care Home on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Life began for mom on her parents homestead in Manitoba's Interlake, District of Kilkenny. Born in August 1916 our mother experienced many changes in her lifetime. As a young girl she would shadow her dad around the farm where she learned first hand what horsepower used to be. Every evening would find her in denim overalls running barefoot through the prairie wild flowers guiding the dairy cattle back home for milking. Life was hard back then, because running water meant just that, it instilled strong values, which formed her character throughout her life. Mom's first marriage to her late husband Mike Sandulak brought her a few miles down the road to Broad Valley. There together with her husband they farmed the land and raised livestock to provide for their four sons, Morris, Stanley, Carl and Albert. Upon her first husband's death, mom remarried again. With her second husband the late John Grabowski, they continued to farm in the Broad Valley area, producing four more children Kenneth, Betty, Terence and Della. Moving to Winnipeg in 1960 with her family made life easier. This gave a whole new meaning to running water. Mom worked at various jobs in Winnipeg, finally retiring from Motor Coach Industries. Retirement meant having more time to watch and help things grow, her beautiful gardens and her beautiful grandchildren. Mom was an accomplished seamstress and did wonderful hand crafted embroidery work. Where she excelled was in her Matheson Avenue kitchen, country style homemade Ukrainian cooking and baking says it all. Mom's home was always open to all, if you needed a place to sleep, a healthy meal or just a cup of tea and good company, all were welcome. In October 2007 mom resided at River Park Gardens Personal Care Home. Attended to by caring professional staff, her family are profoundly grateful her final months were spent in a beautiful supportive facility. Special thanks to her longtime caregiver Dr. Anna Rothova and Dr. Tim Ross. Cremation has taken place, a memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., with reception to follow. CHAPEL LAWN 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 19, 2008