MEA ADAM

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MEA ADAM At eight years old, Mea Philomena Graafmans, and her family immigrated to Canada, by boat, from Holland. Mea was born in Bergen Op Zoom, Netherlands and always was a Dutch girl with European flair! The first school she attended in Canada was in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where she had a sign pinned onto her saying, "I DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH". Well...she learned fast! She remained very close to her family in Europe, spoke Dutch fluently and went back frequently to see her family and favourite city...Bergen Op Zoom. Mea ultimately met her husband, Edgar, in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Frequently she uprooted her small family to new cities as her husband transferred with his career. Every new home was a blank canvas to Mea and by the time she had redesigned a house, it could have been featured in Architectural Digest! She lived in many western Canadian cities but most of her adult life was spent in Winnipeg. Mea made friends easily. Her smile came quick and she constantly had a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. She always worked very hard and was incredibly gifted and creative. She was a true artist and entrepreneur. She NEVER complained. She put others before herself. She was gracious in all she did and all she experienced. She spoke well of everyone and believed in the wonderful possibilities of anyone she met. Her passion for fashion, design, art, upholstery, furniture design, theatre, WSO, music and travel made her an inspirational artist and creator. She could do anything. Make anything. Create beauty all the time. She had a passion that is impossible to fully describe. She took ordinary things and made them extraordinary. She had a vision to see beauty in things most people overlooked or disregarded. True of her creations and the friendships she forged. Mea worked full time up until her illness. The day before her diagnosis she was driving her red convertible to work. She LOVED what she did. Mea was the Founding Director / Manager of: Something Different Boutique, Mea's Fashions and Daddy's Girl. Throughout the years you may have taken a papertole or art class from her at the Courts of St. James. Mea had store locations in Polo Park, Unicity, Sargent, St. Mary's, Banff, Calgary, Edmonton and her last store location in Piazza Denardi in Winnipeg: Daddy's Girl. She travelled the world searching for unique fashions and designs. Her boutiques were filled with affordable clothing and accessories for women. She has literally dressed and adorned thousands of women during her career. She loved making women feel glamorous, beautiful and unique. Her boutiques were not just "stores", but a special place where she made deep, long standing friendships. The atmosphere was vibrant, fun and electrifying. Everyone was welcome. No one judged. In her boutiques, women shared joy, sadness, grief and great happiness with Mea during those "shopping trips." She was a sculptor, painter, gardener...a Creator of so much beauty that was tangible and intangible. When you were in her presence you had to smile. Her warmth and enthusiasm were infectious. Mea was also a keen, sharp, independent and savvy businesswoman. In 2006, Mea was a finalist in Manitoba Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 2007, she was featured in Manitoba Profiles in Business Excellence. Mea hosted hundreds of fashion shows and contributed to countless charitable events and foundations including the Kidney Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Grace General Hospital Foundation, Junior Achievement Manitoba, St. Paul's High School, The Manitoba Club and recently hosted a fashion show for the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities. She seemed to have time for everyone...yet none for herself. It is impossible to list them all. On Monday, June 20, 2016, Mea Adam died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 70, just a week shy from her 71st birthday. Mea had been diagnosed several months ago, and was preparing for chemotherapy, but the disease progressed prior to initiation of any treatment. She died in her home surrounded by her many works of art, bouquets of Casablanca lilies, family, countless friends and her faithful dog Jax. She was predeceased by her husband Edgar Adam (2003), and her father John Graafmans (1982). She is survived and cherished by her children: daughter, Tracey Adam (Richard Nickel) and son, Drew Adam (Jill Currie). Her only grandchild Tyger Adam, shared many adventures and vacations with his "Gorma". Also surviving Mea is her loving mother, Elsie Graafmans who just celebrated her 95th birthday! Nia Buzunis Killebrew (Las Vegas), who is like an adopted daughter to Mea. Her cousin Janny Loman (Netherlands), brother and sister-in-law Howard and Gerry Adam, #1 niece Carolyn Wellman (Saskatoon) and nephew Dr. Larry Adam (Vancouver). Tracey, Drew and Tyger were Mea's greatest joy. She was the most incredible mom and grandmother, a devoted and loving daughter and a fabulous mother-in-law. She was selfless to all. Her deepest pride and joy was being "Gorma" to her only grandchild Tyger. As per Mea's request, there will be no Funeral or Service in her memory. She wanted parties and celebrations while she was here to enjoy them, so this past May has been filled with many festivities and reflection. Instead, we ask that those who loved and knew Mea, to turn May 1 into MEA FIRST and annually take a moment to remember this incredible woman that brought energy, creativity, style, class, generosity and kindness everywhere she went. It is impossible to imagine our lives without her. Her piercing blue eyes, loving spirit, dark hair and china doll face will forever be with us. Mea left us in high heels and the promise that something wonderful is always about to happen. She was simply aMEAzing... Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2016