ANN KUFLOWSKI

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ANN KUFLOWSKI Ann, Annie, Grandma Kuflowski so peacefully slipped out of this life for some much needed rest on August 23, 2012. She was 89 years old. In her last days she had prayed to move on. Ann lived a good and full life and we are relieved that she will no longer have to feel so unsettled. Ann leaves much family who will cherish her memory dearly. Granddaughter, Melanie Zarrillo (Cameron) and great-granddaughters Zoey and Abigayle - both of whom we are so thrilled that she was able to meet! Grandson, Dean Zarrillo (Melanie); son-in-law, Joe (Betty) Zarrillo and Frances and Mike Drapala. Ann also leaves many friends and acquaintances with fond memories of enjoyable times spent together. Ann is the daughter of Antoinia and Joseph Kirsko. As, the baby of her family, she outlived all of her siblings by many years: sisters Jean Kirsko and Frances Passalis. Joe Kirsko ( Uncle Joe ), Ann's beloved brother and great friend, passed away in 2004 and this left a great emptiness in her that lasted the rest of her life. Ann's husband, Ludwig, predeceased her in 2009. And although they had been apart due to health reasons and living circumstances, they had been married for 62 years and his passing also impacted her greatly. Ann's beloved daughter, Lois, predeceased her prematurely in 1982 and this left a huge void in Ann's heart and life. However, this tragedy was the basis for a strong bond that formed between she and her grandchildren, Melanie and Dean. She provided the maternal love and support needed at a time when the kids needed it the most and, in turn, they were her happiness and joy in times of great sadness. Over the years, the bond she had with her grandchildren strengthened as she continued to provide her ongoing love and support. She has left with them many a cherished memory and her spirit will live on within them. Ann lived a simple life that was exceedingly full of laughter and fond memories. She often mentioned how she would lie in bed at night and just reminisce about the good times of days gone by. She was a true North End gal - born and raised and very comfortable in her surroundings. The majority of her life was lived in homes on Alfred and Aberdeen Avenues. She was raised by only her mother and had tremendous respect for her. In Ann's last years, she remembered her mother fondly and asked so frequently to be reunited with her. I need to get home to my mother. She enjoyed the company of her siblings and had a close bond with her brother, Uncle Joe . He would check up on his little sister by popping in for a visit, which would usually end up in an outing to Assiniboine Downs to take part in the horse races or to do some shopping at Zeller's - two pastimes of which Ann was EXTREMELY fond. The career woman in Ann had her working at Neiman's Furs making hats and, later on, at Eaton's in the mailroom. During a good time span in between these two jobs, Ann fulfilled the role of a homemaker and took great pride in raising her sweet, smart, and beautiful Lois. She and Lou gave away their daughter at age 19 to marry her high school sweetheart, Joe. Lois worked on her teaching degree and her career so plans for grandchildren didn't occur until 10 years into the marriage! Ann was delighted to be presented with another girl - a granddaughter, Melanie. And two years later, the excitement of the first boy - Dean! Ann was the quintessential grandmother: sleepovers, special breakfasts, lunches and dinners, trips to the park and wading pool, shopping adventures, heart-to-heart talks, and lots of laughter. When Joe remarried after Lois' passing, Betty so warmly welcomed Ann to all the family gatherings. Ann graciously accepted the invitations to be with her grandchildren. She quickly regarded Betty and her parents Frances and Mike as her family too. Remarkably, Ann and Frances grew fond of each other and would make plans to meet at Northgate Mall with their shared grandchildren. Eventually, just the two of them would meet for coffee! They both admittedly shared a love for Julio Iglesias - he's such a ladies' man they would both exclaim in agreement. Ann had many admiring friends in her lifetime. Her warmth, kindness, sense of humour, and ever-accommodating nature drew people to this self-proclaimed shy-gal. In her young adult years, she enjoyed going on adventures with her friends to dances, movies, and especially taking the train to Winnipeg Beach to ride the roller coaster. Ann wasn't the best at keeping in touch or initiating get-togethers, and this was mainly due to her own insecurities. However, this didn't stop people from liking her wherever she went in life as she was easily able to connect with people and form close relationships. She was a good listener with a keen desire to make people laugh and often was heard saying, You might think I'm crazy (for saying what she had just said) but I like to make people laugh. Then she would smile proudly and end with, it's so good to see you laugh. Ann welcomed a new adventure in her Golden Years, when she had to move out of her house into an apartment at Arlington Haus. She had a special friend and caregiver, Bonnie, who restored Ann's confidence and assisted her to thrive while living on her own. Ann's last years were spent at West Park Manor where a side of her personality that was never ever seen before had come out! Ann was a fiery firecracker with spunk! Those who did not know her prior to the onset of her dementia only knew her in this way; however, many of her caregivers admitted that the soft side of Ann, the real side of her, would come out every now and then. This is when she would tell them that they were her angels and then you just couldn't help but like her. Grandma, there are so many totally you things that Dean, Cam and I will always remember. They make us laugh when the three of us recall them together. Here are a few that will always bring a smile to us! Your Horton's coffee - French Vanilla. Your commonly used phrases: Where was I? Well sure! That's a bunch of malarkey! Phooey! Your superstitions. Your self-proclaimed diagnosis of worry-wart. Most of all, your inability to eat another bite of your dinner, but with the automatic room for a giant piece of cake to be scarfed down in no time! I couldn't possibly eat another bite. Oh, chocolate cake! OK! We love you and will miss you but are so very comforted by the impact of your significant memories. Ann's family would like to thank all of her caregivers that had shown patience, care, and concern for her. We appreciate all the care and friendship you provided to her. A memorial reception will take place at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street on Friday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 01, 2012