MIRIAM BATKIS

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MIRIAM BATKIS Our fiercely independent, determined and defiant mother, wife, Baba, sister and aunt passed away July 14, 2015. Her two sons Gary (Kim) and Bill (Natalie) were challenged by her everyday and were reminded that family always came first and to live a simple life. She lived for her four grandchildren Zoe, her little dancer, Benjamin (Ben) the grandson the entire family prayed for, Bailey - Baba will always be grateful to you for looking after her, and her little Cooper, whose phone conversations meant the world to her. While she has left a legacy for each of her grandchildren, it's little consolation for the void her passing will have on their lives. Her nephew Shawn, who always held a special place in her heart, was like a third son. We are grateful he was by her side when she passed, as was her niece Sherry who flew in from British Columbia to be with her in the end. Mom also had a very close bond with her niece Miriam (Alvin). The two spoke on the phone several times each day; it was a special relationship they both cherished. After the passing of her own mother, Mom became the matriarch of her family. She was always there to support her brothers Leslie (Felicia), Harvey (Anita) and Harry (Henny), and her sister Rachel who passed away a number of years ago. Keeping those relationships close was important to her but it was also her way of ensuring her family would continue to stay connected. She devoted her entire life to our family, while often neglecting her own health, to always ensure our home was spotless to the point you were not allowed in most rooms, and that a meal was on the table everyday at 4:30 p.m. Being late was just not an option; we always sat down as a family. She enjoyed the simple things like family camping trips, her vacations with Dad to Hawaii and family dinners. And she always looked forward to playing cards with the ladies in her condo. She didn't require much to feel that her life was full and that is definitely a lesson we've learned from her life. We want to thank all our family members who joined our side to ensure our mother wasn't alone in the hospital. She almost always had someone with her; we know she felt loved and supported. A special thank you to the entire staff at Seven Oaks General Hospital, especially 5 Unit 1. We have always been treated with kindness and compassion where the care of both of our parents was concerned. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation. CancerCare Manitoba also provided tremendous support to our family through what was a very difficult battle with cancer. And we will always be grateful for that. Mom, while we will miss you every day, you can rest at peace knowing we are loved, taken care of and more appreciative of the simple things in life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2015