ANITA SYMAK

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ANITA SYMAK (nee SMITH) It is with earthly sadness, but with gracious thanksgiving, that the family of Anita Lorraine (Marie) Symak, announces her passing on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Grace General Hospital in Winnipeg. With her family by her side, her burdens have been lifted and peace has been given. On November 8, 1938, Anita was born in the village of Laurier, Manitoba. The third of eight children born to Garnet and Marie Smith, she grew up first in Laurier and then in Rivers, Manitoba. Graduating from Brooke School in 1956, Anita worked for DND at CFB Rivers. It was here that she met her future husband Michael Symak and the two were married in 1961. The family soon became four with the birth of two sons, Michael in 1962 and Christopher in 1964. With family always nearby, Anita remained in Wheatland until the summer of 1971, when the family moved to Winnipeg and where she and Mike lived until today. Soon, the rest of the family had moved to Winnipeg and all lived in close proximity. She continued to work for the Federal Government for another five years until taking time to spend with her growing family of nieces and nephews. In 1988, Anita was hired at UPS and worked there until her retirement in 2007. Anita was the typical family-first woman that everybody loved and that families need in order to thrive. As a mom, there was never an event that she missed, be it sports or music or volunteering. As a sister, she was constantly on the phone visiting with her brothers and sisters, and often these calls went on into the wee hours of the morning. As a friend, especially with her best friend Margaret Slaney, Anita was loyal and always happy. As a grandmother, she was always doting and full of love. Her arms could always hold one more child, her lap could always sit one more little bottom and her heart always had an extra soft spot for anybody who needed it. Anita's love of family and friends will always be her signature and we are sure that she has lots more to share now that she has been chosen to join her Lord in heaven. Anita is survived by her husband of 55 years Mike; sons, Michael and Chris; granddaughters, Hayley, Denyne, Brianne and Chantal and grandsons, Dominic and Paul. As well, she is survived by her sister, Linda (Wayne) Berry; brothers, Alain (Carol) Smith and Terry (Val) Smith; sister-in-law, Olga (Albert) Smith and brother-in-law, John (Lucina) Walker. She was predeceased by her parents, Garnet and Marie; sister Lucina; brothers, Raymond, Albert and Melvin and by her best friend of fifty years, Marg Slaney. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Charles Roman Catholic Church, 320 St. Charles Street, Winnipeg, with Rev. Fr. Peter Nemcek, presiding. The family would like to thank the staff at Grace Hospital for taking such great care of Mom. Everybody was kind, considerate, respectful and caring. Particularly, the Doctors, Nurses and staff in ICU not only took care of Mom, but took care of all of us in her family. We are grateful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1P6 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, in memory of Anita. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com "Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest." - Deuteronomy 31:8

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2016