ANGELA (NELLIE) DRONZEK -

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ANGELA (NELLIE) DRONZEK 1915 - 2011 My precious Mother left us, peacefully, on Monday, April 25, 2011. Mom was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was 16. She was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Maria Forytarz; her beloved husband, Frank, her siblings, John, Edward and Stella and three of her four children: Edward, Thaddeus Ted and Joanne. She is survived by daughter Frances; grandson Adam (Ana Luisa); grandson Christopher (Petra), great-grandchildren Mia and Owen; granddaughter Karen (Eric); grandson Dean (Penny), granddaughters Susan (Gary) and Michelle (Jeff); great-grand-daughters Christine and Ashley. Mom was the consummate homemaker and dedicated to home and family. She had an appreciation for all things beautiful. With a penchant for decorating, she liked to rearrange and add furniture while Dad was at work, leaving him stunned when he came home at the end of the day. Mom liked to cook; she also mastered the art of presentation, especially of her delectable dainty trays. She filled our home with her handiwork being proficient at crochet, embroidery and tatting. Her specialties were in demand on special occasions and church functions. Cut flowers from our garden graced the table all summer and, sometimes, well into the fall. Mom and Dad welcomed new arrivals to Canada, taking them into our home and helping them get established. While we were growing up we enjoyed having company for Sunday dinner and during holidays. After the children married, Mom and Dad hosted elaborate dinners for a close circle of like-minded friends. Afterwards, card playing, joking and endless story telling lasted well into the night. Mom enjoyed travelling and welcomed the chance to visit us nomads wherever we happened to live, accompanied by boxes of home-made goodies. She was a perfect companion on motor trips, taking the children under her wing and packing contingency supplies. During the summer, we often joined our cousins, the children of Uncle John Dronzek, at Winnipeg Beach to frolic in the lake and sample the carnival atmosphere on the boardwalk. But, it was not all fun and games: after Dad had a stroke, Mom cared for him while maintaining the house and yard, working part time. You could always depend on Mom to pitch in wherever she might be needed. She and Dad sent many a package home filled with goodies for family in Poland. Mom was fluent in English as well as Polish and a talented writer, expressing thoughts beautifully and well; she was sought out to translate letters to and from Poland. Mom was a prayerful woman and an active member of the Catholic Women's League--first at St. Andrew Bobola and, later, at St. John Brebeuf. She and Dad were founding members of St. Andrew Bobola parish and contributed their time, talent and resources to erect a church for the Polish community in St. Boniface. Mom also sang in the church choir for many years. Mom was a little dynamo--tenacious, independent, proud and courageous to a fault making her a daunting force... we children referred to her as the little general. She plagued all of us who cared for her by asserting her independence. One of her favourite songs was, Frank Sinatra singing I Did it My Way. Mom, you embodied the sentiment perfectly and it's been a privilege to be your daughter. Finally, my sincere thanks to Dr. Lloyd Bartlett, wonderful friends, her devoted son-in-law, David, his gracious wife, Kristin and the team from home care without whom I could not have managed to give my dearest Mother the opportunity to leave this world, more or less, on her terms and in the relative comfort of her own home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the parish of St. John Brebeuf or St. Andrew Bobola, in her name. Dobry Jesu, A nasz Panie; daj Jej vjeczne spoczywanie. Swiatlosc wieczna niech Jej swieci, gdzie kroluja wszyscy Swieci. Gdzie kroluja z toba Panem, az na wieki wiekow, Amen. Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Andrew Bobola Church, 541 Marion St. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2011