MAFALDA MOROZ (GRACEFFO)

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MAFALDA MOROZ (nee GRACEFFO) In Loving Memory Mafalda Moroz (nee Graceffo) born December 9, 1923, passed away peacefully on the evening of February 2, 2017, at the age of 93, at her retirement care home in Qualicum Beach, BC. Born and raised in a family of 12 in Winnipeg, MB, "Fudda", as she was affectionately known to her many friends in Winnipeg, Sioux Lookout and Kelowna, met and married the love of her life, Tom Moroz, when they both worked at Macdonald Brothers Aircraft factory toward the end of the war. In her early thirties she moved to Sioux Lookout, ON, where her locomotive engineer husband Tom could hold regular work with CN. If raising five children in a railroad family wasn't enough to keep her busy, Fudda also worked for many years at the Mayfair Theatre, where her gregarious nature and infectious laughter became known to many. She was also an accomplished seamstress and sewed many a wedding gown for young brides in Sioux Lookout. One of her greatest joys was slipping into church and watching the bride walk down the aisle in a gown she had created. A devout Catholic, Fudda also lent her heavenly voice to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church choir, where she sang at many of those wedding services. Her rendition of Ave Maria could send chills down your spine. Active for many years in the Sioux Legion Ladies Auxiliary, one of our favourite pictures is of mom dancing the Can-Can with her fellow members in one of many charity fundraisers. She was instrumental in instigating and supporting Tom in the establishment of a residence and school for the mentally challenged, the Muriel Boyle Centre, whose efforts were cited by the Ontario Ministry of Social Services. But to those who knew her best, Fudda held court in her kitchen where maternal advice was freely provided, the food incredible, the room always filled with lively conversation, the saltiest of jokes, that big smile, laughter and her beautiful voice when the spirit often moved her to sing. If you were Fudda's friend she remained loyal for life and she always went out of her way to help those in need. But perhaps the greatest accomplishment of her life was the undying love, dedication and service she so willingly, selflessly and unwaveringly provided for 60 years to our sister "Marty" so that she could have a loving and caring home. Lovingly, their mother and daughter relationship matured into "inseparable best friends" over their lives. Upon Tom's retirement, they moved to Kelowna, BC where they were able to enjoy the beauty and warmth of the Okanagan for almost 25 years until Tom's passing in 2008. We will always be grateful for the 93 years we were fortunate enough to share with her and though very much loved, we will not mourn her passing but rather celebrate her life and those she touched along the way. Mom, we can hear your laughter as you, Helen McIvor and Laura Switzer coffee klatch in the sky; no longer in pain, we are so very happy for you! Mafalda was predeceased by her husband Thomas Moroz and survived by brother Leonard and sister Helen Graceffo; five children, Judith, Tommy, James (Lois), Michael (Vicky), Maria-Martina; seven grandchildren, Mark, Matthew, Erika, Sean, Daniel, Marlea, Charlotte; and five great-grandchildren, Monica, Zoria, Scarlett, Isabel and Oliver. Forever in our Memory we love you momma-loots!!!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2017