JUDITH A. DYCK

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JUDITH A. DYCK Judith Anne Dyck passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital on Friday, November 18, 2011, with her brother John by her side. She was 56. She is survived by John and his wife Dorothy (Sawatsky) and their children Emily and Jacob. She is also survived by her Uncle John and Auntie Florence Dyck of Cochrane, AB; Uncle Walter and Auntie Margaret of Chilliwack, BC; Auntie Kathleen (Harold Dyck) of Sardis, BC; Auntie Caryll (Victor Dyck) of Vernon, BC; and Auntie Roberta (David R. Dyck) of Winnipeg; and 13 cousins. Judy was born in Altona, MB on January 27, 1955. Her parents, Edmond and Dorothy (Wiebe) Dyck were teachers in Rosenfeld, MB. The family moved to Morris, where brother John was born in 1958, and in 1959 to Winnipeg where her parents began their careers with the River East School Division. Judy enjoyed her school years, excelling academically and starting life-long friendships, and graduating from River East Collegiate in 1973. She also enjoyed her summers, spending time with friends, camping with her family, and going to Camp Arnes both as a camper and later as a leader. The camp experience led to a time volunteering with Big Sisters of Winnipeg. After high school, Judy attended the University of Winnipeg, receiving the Gold Medal in Honours English in 1977. Two further semesters, this time at the University of Manitoba exploring the Faculty of Education and the School of Business, nudged Judy back to the University of Winnipeg where she got a job in the Admissions Office. This was the start of a 33-year career serving the University of Winnipeg and its students. After her time in Admissions, Judy started working in Awards and Financial Aid, where she became director in 1991. She filled this role to the best of her ability until she left in March of 2011 due to ill health. During her years in the Awards department, Judy earned a Masters degree in Education from the University of Manitoba, and while director, served twice as President of the Canadian Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA). As President, she not only helped to shape aid policy, speaking before Parliamentary committees on student aid issues, but also enjoyed making friends with colleagues across the country. Through her work she helped many thousands of students. Outside of work, Judy was a devoted member of River East Mennonite Brethren Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and serving in the Worship Commission, Sunday School and church library. For several years she was also a board member of Winnipeg Habitat for Humanity. Judy enjoyed traveling: camping and cycling trips in her youth; later, visits to people and places from Moscow to Sao Paulo and Halifax to Vancouver. When work and family duties and later, poor health kept her in Winnipeg, Judy read widely and enjoyed time with her family and circle of friends. Her only niece Emily and nephew Jacob were special sources of love, pride and joy. In all of her life, Judy displayed quiet confidence in herself, unfailing, patient loyalty to friends and loved ones, determination and persistence in times of challenge, and an everyday faith that shone warmly on those around her. Judy's declining physical strength led, in her final weeks, to the Palliative Care Ward of St. Boniface Hospital. There she received not only the finest care, but also many precious gifts of friendship and love: visits, cards, food and flowers, thoughts and prayers. Judy's family will always be thankful to her friends and colleagues, to Palliative Care's superb staff of nurses, aides and doctors, and to our gracious and loving God. The memorial service will take place on Friday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m., at the River East Mennonite Brethren Church, 755 McLeod Avenue, preceded by the committal at Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery, 2373 Main Street at 10:00 a.m. A volunteer choir will meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. Viewing will take place on Thursday, November 24, at 6:00 p.m., at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. Those who wish may donate to the Edmond and Dorothy Dyck Scholarship in Education at the University of Winnipeg, to CancerCare Manitoba, or to a charity of their choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2011