BEATRICE TUOKKO

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BEATRICE (POLLI) TUOKKO March 11, 1940 - April 13, 2015 Polli died peacefully at the Grace General Hospital with her beloved husband of 50 years, James Girvan, at her side. It is with deep sorrow that we announce her death on Monday, April 13, 2015, at the age of 75 years. Left to forever remember Polli are her husband, Jim Girvan; brother Wayne Tuokko and his family; nephew Kerry Spizawka and his family; nieces Karen Durrell and her family as well as niece Sherry Turner and her husband; nephew Dean Tuokko and his family; sister-in-law Sherryl Walsh and children Kelly Walsh, Kathy Greenfield, Karen Geoffrey and Bud Walsh; and old friend Ninna Larsen and her daughter Mika. She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Jack Tuokko; her oldest brother Al Tuokko; her oldest sister Velma Spizawka; as well as her youngest brother Ray Tuokko. In 1978 Polli suffered eye problems that caused intermittent blindness for many years, then in 1998 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She was a remarkable woman with great strength and perseverance, who maintained her interest in people and events, and Polli kept her pleasant personality through all her health problems and tribulations. She accepted her disabilities with patience and forbearance. A certain stoic capacity to silently sustain life's disappointments and reverses (known as "sisu" in Finnish) marked her character. Polli's ironic sense of humour was unique. Although life presented her with many challenges she handled them with dignity, grace and a powerful sense of the absurd. Humour is a great healer and Polli had a gift for finding the lighter side of many situations. Two of her favourite sayings were, "it's clearing in the west", and "every path has its puddles, every road its ruts." Polli had many talents. She carved in stone and wood and created sculpture from plaster and plastic. She could draw and paint beautifully. Polli was also a professional photographer. She showed her photographs in Japan and Canada. When Parkinson's took away most of Polli's health she turned to making masks in stoneware. She made hundreds of stoneware masks, each with a unique face. Polli's last masks can be seen on the internet at http://members.shaw.ca/scarfaces. She reached a professional level in her masks and sold them internationally. In 2010 Polli was confined to a wheelchair. Even so she lived life to the fullest. In spite of the challenges Parkinson's presented she never lost her will and determination and Polli tried to have a laugh every day. She was out-going, affectionate and generous. One instance of her generosity was in the Yonge Street Mall, Toronto. Polli had bought a new pair of shoes and was wearing them home, when she met a woman with no shoes. She gave her new shoes to the woman and walked home barefoot. Polli loved nature. When possible her favourite summer activities were; hiking bush and mountains, camping in Nopiming, Manitoba and canoeing on Bird River. In winter she enjoyed cross country skiing and snowshoeing with Jim. Polli will be fondly remembered for her independent nature, feistiness, quick wit and quirky sense of humour. She loved to work out of doors planting vegetables, flowers and trees as long as she was able. Polli was knowledgeable about wildflowers and liked to photograph them in the ditches, roadsides and fields. She was a friend of birds and wildlife. One of Polli's first jobs in Winnipeg, Manitoba was in the jewelry department at Eaton's. During the summer while studying Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, Polli worked in Lake of the Woods in Kenora, Ontario, as a licensed fishing guide. She was the first woman licensed as a fishing guide from out of province. She believed in "catch and release". After studying Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, Polli moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she met her husband, James Girvan; a student at the Ontario College of Art in 1963. While in Toronto Polli worked at the University of Toronto Library. When she and her husband moved to Winnipeg she took a job at the City of Winnipeg Public Library. After being on city disability for some years Polli retired with her gold city retirement pin. In compliance with Polli's wishes, no formal Funeral Service will be held. A private ash scattering will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the doctors, hospital and friends for their help and consideration. Flowers are gratefully declined. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements. 204-897-4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik's online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com "You can shed tears because she is gone or smile because she has lived". "Clear skies, Clean water". "Lepaa rauhassa rakastettu ja kaivattu". http://members.shaw.ca/scarfaces

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2015