STELLA POIRIER

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STELLA POIRIER (née POCHINCO) 87 Stella died June 13, 2014 at Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, BC from health complications after a fall. Stella was born in October 1926 in Gilbert Plains, MB, the child of the late James and Julia (Pedleseski) Pochinco. She was predeceased by her husband, Alphonse J. W. Poirier of Selkirk, MB and her son Stephen G. Poirier (Jovelin) of British Columbia and the Philippines. Stella is survived and missed by members of her large and loving family: her daughter Karen Poirier-Brode, MD (Cal Barwick), her grandson Chris Brode (Laurel), great-grandson Donovan Brode and grandson Joe Heffernan, Jr., all of Sacramento, CA; by her grandchildren Danielle Emily-Lynn Poirier and Renard C. Poirier of Calgary, AB, as well as many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Stella is predeceased by her brother Stan Pochinco (Virginia) of Lockport, MB and survived by siblings Patti Stillman, Scottsdale, AZ; Fran White, Victoria, BC; Chris Theissen, St. Vital, MB and Ted Pochinco (Joanne) of St. Boniface, MB as well as many devoted nieces and nephews and their families. She also leaves behind many wonderful friends. Stella leaves a daughter Michelle Brown (Stephen), and granddaughters Adrienne Poirier and Kathryn Paris Poirier of Victoria, BC. Most recently, Stella resided at the Richmond Unit of Glengarry Hospital and had previously been a resident of Luther Court Assisted Living, both located in Victoria, BC. For several years, Stella lived at Heritage House Assisted Living in Oliver, BC. Stella's early retirement years were spent in St. Vital, MB and Victoria, BC. She travelled widely around the world during those years with her friend, Joe Kotowich; she particularly enjoyed her trips to Europe and Australia. Stella worked for Eaton's catalogue sales fulfillment after she left school. She later completed high school and studied education and child development at college. Stella worked for several years at one of her favourite jobs, as a kindergarten teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church School in Selkirk, MB. Her varied work history included employment at retail sales of women's clothing at Eaton's in Winnipeg, MB, work at Ethel's Florist in Selkirk, MB and she helped Alphonse in Selkirk, MB with his fly fishing business which she managed for a time after his death. Stella was a woman with a good sense of humour who made many lasting friendships. She valued family greatly. Stella liked knitting and arts and crafts, especially needlepoint; a hobby she shared with Alphonse. Like many women of her generation, Stella did a lot of canning and would make a memorable crabapple jelly. She loved pizza and loathed ironing. Stella made lovely entertaining scrapbooks for her children. Stella had a few collections she prized; her photos were a lasting passion. At times, she took an interest in salt and pepper shakers, tourist spoons and regency china figurines. She loved the music of the 1940s to 1960s. Her favourite pastimes were reading and word search puzzles. She will be greatly missed. Many thanks to the staff of the Richmond Unit of Glengarry Hospital for their dedication and loving care, and to Agneta Peterson and Sheila Weatherill for their assistance and kindness. Memorial services private.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2014