ELENA JANUSKA

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ELENA JANUSKA September 8, 1917 - November 3, 2011 Elena Januska passed away peacefully in Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her; for she had the kindest heart. Elena and her husband Vincent began their lives in Lithuania. She fell in love with him as a teenager, and they spent a very interesting life together in challenging times. They fled their country during the Second World War in 1944 by horse and cart with their three week old first child Margaret Danguole, dodging dive-bombers along the way. Stopping in Germany for a couple of years, after being liberated by Canadian soldiers, they had their first son Algirdas Liudvikas in 1947. They then moved to Canada, to Winnipeg, where their youngest child Viktoras Vidutis was born in 1949. They spent their lifetime in Winnipeg, retiring to an acreage in St. Germain, until Vincent died in 1998. Their faith helped sustain them through it all. They were very much involved in the building of St. Casimir's Lithuanian Catholic Church, singing in the church choir, hosting picnics at their cottage on Lake Winnipeg; helping with bazaars and banquets at their church. Elena was by nature good-humoured. She always had an easy smile. She was selfless and put her family ahead of her own needs. She had boundless energy; she never stopped. Whether cooking up a feast to feed any who dropped by, or growing a huge garden full of vegetables or flowers, helping Vincent with his bees, or sewing a new dress, jacket or shirt with just a length of fabric and a few knots in a piece of string, she did it all. At 80 years old she was seen on the roof sweeping off the snow, because Vincent was ill. When her eyesight deteriorated, out came the crochet hook and knitting needles. Her afghans have travelled far and wide, made with love, to keep everyone warm and cozy. Predeceased by Vincent (1998) and son Algirdas (1987), she leaves to cherish her memory Margaret, and Viktoras (Violet), grandchildren Neil (Suzanne), Marcie, Matthew (Jacquie), Josh, Michael (Robin) and Catie, four great-grandchildren, as well as her youngest sister Kaze in Lithuania, sister-in law Mary in Chicago, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Beacon Hill Lodge for their kindness and care during Elena's stay there. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2011 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. with interment to follow at the Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum. Flowers gratefully declined. If desired, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2011