DOREEN ZIEBA (WATTS)

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DOREEN ZIEBA (nee WATTS) April 20, 1931 - June 2, 2011 Mom passed away peacefully on June 2, 2011 at the Deer Lodge Centre after a lengthy illness. She was predeceased by her husband Andrew; her parents Norman and Beatrice Watts of Plumas, MB, and her brother Murray Watts. Mom is survived by her son Richard (Lynda); daughters Melody (Ted), and Marla (Dale); grandchildren Louis (Ilda), Julian, Leslie, Terri, Lee, Michelle, Meaghan, Paul and great-grandson Michael; as well as her sister Dolly Knott of Edmonton, and nieces Marlene Johaneson and Jeannie Schram of Edmonton, and Linda Pickett of Campbell River, BC. Having grown up in Loon Lake, SK Mom moved to Portage La Prairie, MB at the age of 17 where she enrolled in nurses training for the purpose of becoming a pediatric nurse as she wanted to work with children. While still in training she was diagnosed as having TB- consequently spending the next four years of her life between the Fort Qu'appelle TB San and the St. Boniface San (a.k.a. St. Amant Centre). After being discharged from the St. B. San Mom returned to live with her parents in Plumas, MB for a short period of time where she met her husband to be- Andrew Zieba. Not being able to resume nurses training as a result of the TB diagnosis Mom took accounting courses at a business college in Winnipeg and worked for Westeel Roscoe until she became pregnant with her son Richard in 1959. During the 1960s Mom worked at various part-time employment. From the 1970s to retirement mom worked in the pharmacies at Ringers Drug Store, and finally Shoppers Drug Mart. Although having a quiet demeanor she enjoyed working with people and the independence it gave her. She was well liked by co-workers and customers alike. Mom enjoyed the company of friends at the Fort Garry Legion for many years on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. She had an open mind and was interested in many activities including sewing, knitting, tai chi, and yoga. Mom was also a member of the Unity Truth Centre. She was an avid reader for most of her life and attended educational seminars until late in her life. Our family would like to thank Dr. Roland Hayward for the care, dignity and respect he accorded Mom over the years as her physician. He always took the time to explain and discuss her medical issues with her, using pleasant humour and utmost patience. We are thankful to the staff at Lions Place as well as the resident nurses Cheryl and Bev who made it possible for Mom to stay in her own home for as long as she did. Thank you also to the nursing staff on the 3rd floor of the Deer Lodge Centre- namely Jocelyn, Ken, Tannis, and Debbie for their fantastic humour and incredible care in some of her final days at Deer Lodge. And finally, thank you to those staff members at Lions Place and Deer Lodge who we may not have named but to whom we are grateful to for their kindness and compassion to our mother. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation, 108-671 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0Z2 or the Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1P6. A commemoration of Mom's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. The interment is to follow at a later date in Plumas, MB. Miss me but let me go. When I come to the end of the road, And the sun has set for me I want no rites in gloom filled rooms, Why cry for a soul set free, Miss me a little, but not too long, And not with your head bowed low, For this is a journey we all must take, And each must go alone, It's all a part of the master plan, A step on the road to home. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 09, 2011