JEAN DEMETRIOFF

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JEAN DEMETRIOFF December 8, 1916 - July 1, 2015 With profound sadness, a kind and loving heart stopped beating in her 98th year. Jean Demetrioff, my mom and best friend, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt left us to join my dad (JB) - the love of her life in heaven. Jean was born December 8, 1916 to parents Annie and Peter Polak (Pollock) at Winnipeg Beach. She was predeceased by her siblings Kathleen (Zellen), Mary Forsyth, Johnny Pollock, Albert Phillips and stepfather Joe Phillips. Mom left Winnipeg Beach at an early age and came to Winnipeg to live with her sister Kae and husband Larry. She worked a variety of jobs and then worked at Kae and Larry's garage. Not only did Mom pump gas into Dad's gas tank, she showered him with gas also and so a courtship began. They married on March 5, 1938, had a family (son and daughter) and worked side by side at their business (JB's Hardware and JB's Trophy & Engraving) for over 50 years in St. Boniface. Besides being a fantastic cook and a very doting wife and mother, Jean began curling (under Dad's encouragement) at the Heather Curling Club in 1949. She was a social butterfly who encouraged many to join the club. In time, Jean became president of the Heather Ladies and excelled by skipping her team to many victories, not only in her club but many bonspiels. Jean won the Manitoba Senior Ladies Championship and headed to Nova Scotia to represent Manitoba. From the 1940s to 2014 she attended almost every function she was invited to at the club. In 2011 she was honoured for her contribution to the Heather and also accepted an award of the same for JB in 2013. As Honorary Life Member, her knowledge of the beginning of the Heather Curling Club was amazing. Many wonderful and memorable times were spent at her cottage at Dorothy Lake. Laughter, fun, good fishing and delicious food prepared by Mom will never be forgotten. Family and friends and attending to their needs were so important to her. After her husband passed away, Mom braved her new lifestyle. She loved her gambling and then began to play bingo. After six years or so she decided to live with her daughter Marilyn Brown and son-in-law Les (which lasted 16 years). Mom lived a very independent lifestyle and after her 98th year she began to fail and needed a lot of assistance. Her mind always wanted so much, but her body couldn't co-operate - she was a determined lady. Her health began to fail more and in July 2015 she passed away at the St. Boniface Hospital. We will forever cherish all the fun times, sad times and challenging times over the years, knowing that she is at peace with the love of her life - our dad JB. Jean is survived by her daughter Marilyn Brown (Les), granddaughter Marnie Brown (Norm), grandson Lester Brown (Jen) and children Alexis, Logan, Cassandra, and Madison, and also an estranged son and his family. A private family interment has taken place. A celebration of Jean's life will take place on Thursday, July 16, 11:30 a.m., at the Heather Curling Club, 120 Youville St., St. Boniface. In lieu of cards and flowers, a donation to Before the Bridge Senior K9 Rescue Inc. (a rescue for older dogs), Box 11, Stony Mountain, MB R0C 3A0 (phone 204-295-0955) is appreciated. "You were right Mom - you and I have always been a team'. We have pretty much weathered everything together. Death may have parted us but it cannot rob us of our memories - ones we cherished together. Till we meet again." Forever your daughter - Love Marilyn.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2015