GERMAINE DEPREZ (VANDEKERCKHOVE)

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GERMAINE DEPREZ (nee VANDEKERCKHOVE) April 3, 1925 - March 7, 2011 Peacefully after a brief illness and with her family at her side, Germaine Deprez passed away at Health Sciences Centre. Predeceased by her husband Maurice Deprez, brothers, George and Jerome Vandekerckhove, sister-in-law Evelyn Vandekerckhove, brother-in-law Rob Deprez, half sister Alice Bradley and niece Judy Campbell. Survived by sons Rodney (Sheryle), Doug (Vicky), Don (Laurie), Laurie (Arlene), David (Debbie) and daughters Leanne Sinclair (Doug) and Lindy McEachern (Gerry). Grandchildren Lesley (John), Chris, Ryan (Lisa), Jenna, Craig (Gina) Jaymie, Chad, Derek (Robyn), Leah (Kevin), Corey (Aaliyah), Kyle, Trisha (Eric), Shane, Jennifer (Raimi), Jacqueline (Paul), Char (Mike), Brennley and Brad. Great-grand-children Ava, Carter, Spencer, Evan, Avery, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Nickolas, Marcus, Carsyn and Najlae. Brother Leon Vandekerckhove, sister Angele Deprez, and sister-in-law Ruth Vandekerckhove and many nieces and nephews. Mom was born in Swan Lake, MB on April 3, 1925 to Maria and Basiel Vandekerckhove. In 1939, her dad bought a farm in Stony Mountain, where Mom stayed and helped out until 1948 when she met and married Maurice Deprez. Mom and Dad then began their life's passion of beginning their own family and raising their seven children. To try to make a living, they bought a store in North Kildonan, but this was not something Dad enjoyed. They then bought a farm in Stony Mountain and worked it for a number of years until harsh reality hit home, the family was getting bigger and the income was getting smaller. They moved into a house in Stony Mountain where Mom lived the rest of her life. Dad worked at the penitentiary, then the quarry, and Mom raised the kids. Mom was a pillar of strength and support to all of her kids; there to encourage when we didn't think we could accomplish something, and there to make sure our heads didn't get too big when we figured out that we could. She loved being a mother. She loved being a center of influence and she was always there for all who needed her support. Her favourite form of encouragement was there's no such thing as can't ...She firmly believed that and stood by it and wouldn't let us think otherwise. When we were young, she always had a car full of kids, off to the next baseball or hockey game. Sometimes there was only one or two cars heading to a game, but you could rest assured that one of them would be Mom, car full, and off they go. To help pay the bills, mom sold Tupperware, and as the kids got a little older, she worked for many years at the Stony Mountain hotel restaurant, proudly preparing meals for the truckers. In 1986, being a curling and bingo enthusiast, Mom started the curling club bingo to raise funds for the club and it is still running today. Mom later was inducted as a life member of Stony Mountain curling club. She loved her bingo, and enjoyed going with her friends and her grandchildren. Something very dear to Mom's heart was St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stony Mountain. She was very active in the Annual Penny Parade fundraiser, the main fundraiser for the year. Just this last year Mom was recognized for her involvement in the Penny Parade for over 50 years. Mom was involved in St. Joseph's church since she arrived here. Be it bake sales at Eaton's, fall suppers, Smorgasbord and Penny Parade, bingos on Thursday nights or whatever the event, Mom was in the middle of things. She would welcome new people into the parish, touching their lives the moment they arrived. As one active church member recently told Mom, her life would not be the same had Mom not been there to welcome her. Some of Mom's favourite pastimes were baking, gardening and tending to her roses. She loved fishing and looked forward to go. She loved knitting, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She loved family gatherings and turkey dinners, but especially Christmas Eve, where it became a family tradition to get together. Mom was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. She loved having people drop by her house. Her door was always open with hot coffee and fresh baking. She loved visiting and always kept us posted on current events. Her family was the single most important thing in her life and she nurtured every relationship she had. She blessed so many lives and will truly be missed. Our family would like to say thank you to the doctors and nurses and staff from Stonewall Hospital, the ambulance attendants as well as the staff at H.S.C. Memorial Service will be held by Father Dindo Pepito on Friday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, 433 Main Street, Stonewall, MB. A private family interment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Church, Box 41, Stony Mountain, MB R0C 3A0 or a charity of one's choice. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2011