PATRICIA MARUCA

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PATRICIA MARUCA Surrounded by her adoring family, Patricia Jean Maruca passed away peacefully on June 12, 2017 in Winnipeg. Although the cancer that ended her life was particularly unkind, it is overshadowed by the overwhelming legacy of love, family, kindness and generosity that Pat created during her 68 years of a life well lived. Born in 1949 in Regina, Saskatchewan, to parents Henry and Elma Posyniak, she and her family moved to Winnipeg in 1958, living mostly in the Riverview area. It was during these early years that she formed an unbreakable and profound bond with her little sister, Maria. Even though they were often not geographically close as they started careers and families, the two sisters remained as close as any two siblings could be, sharing countless hours on the phone together and vacationing with each other as much as possible. It was in that same Riverview neighbourhood, during her teenage years, that Pat met the love of her life, Tony, and it was then that their lifelong journey together began. After attending St. Mary's Academy for high school, Pat graduated from the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba in 1969, before beginning her career and family. In July of 1970, Pat and Tony wed in Winnipeg at a ceremony adorned with her favourite yellow roses. Pat and Tony moved throughout Canada, hand-in-hand, as they explored new jobs and new adventures in Montreal, Tsawwassen, and Burlington, before coming home to Winnipeg in the early 1980s. Pat excelled in a variety of professional roles including at Eaton's, Toronto Hydro and McGill University. Later in life, she worked at Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba and the Grace General Hospital, recruiting and co-ordinating volunteers. Her warmth and compassion for those in need allowed her to find great meaning in these roles. Her uncanny ability to plan, co-ordinate and organize even the largest tasks or groups of people was unparalleled. These traits and talents were surely passed on to her children. More than anything, Pat's world was consumed by her family. Her ever-lasting love with Tony was something to behold. The pair loved each other deeply and supported each other in every aspect of their life. Pat grounded Tony, keeping him out of trouble when he needed to be, and loved him so much that it allowed him to dream and take risks when he needed to. Everything they did, they did together. Married for almost half a century, and together for even more, their love and lives were so happily intertwined that it would amaze and uplift even the greatest skeptic. Their love for each other inspired anyone who saw them together. Their love brought three adoring children into the world, Kristin, David and Matthew. Later, that love continued and grew as Pat gleefully welcomed their spouses and grandchildren, Nathan, Madelaine and Max, into the family. It warmed her heart to share her love with more people. She showered her grandchildren with love, praise, toys, books and the occasional candy or bag of chips. Knowing how serious life could be, Pat wanted her grandchildren to have fun. Amongst her greatest pleasures were seeing her grandchildren smile and hearing them laugh. Later in life, Pat had her share of injuries and illnesses but they could not stop her from playing with her grandchildren however she could. It was through Pat's devotion to, and enjoyment of, her family that she created a nurturing, warm and laughter-filled home. It was through Pat's passion for motherhood that she created a family strong enough to withstand all of life's many trials and tribulations. It was through Pat's unrelenting and unconditional love that she taught her family how to love and be loved. It was indeed this love that undoubtedly kept her spirits high and her mind at ease during the most difficult days near the end of her life. To say that she loved her family would simply be insufficient. It would not capture the size of her heart, the strength of her kindness, and the warmth of her compassion. To say that she gave everything to her family would be an understatement. It would not properly describe her generosity, her positive spirit, and her unwavering nurturing. To say that she had a profound impact on all those whom she loved would fail to adequately describe how she made each of them feel when she hugged them, how she comforted them in times of need, and how she knew exactly what to say and do at exactly the right moment. The warmth of her smile and the touch of her hand defined her as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. Those two simple, yet powerful things created a legacy of love and laughter that will ensure she remains with us forever. Continuing her legacy of love are those family members that have survived her, including her husband Tony, her children Kristin (Kurt), David (Jennifer) and Matthew (Erin), her grandchildren Nathan, Madelaine and Max, her sister Maria and brother-in-law Tom, her nieces Victoria, Teresa and Brenda, her sister-in-law Mary (Jack), her nephews Derek and Martin, and her best friend Gail. She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Elma, her father-in-law Francesco, her mother-in-law Angelina, and her sister-in-law Rosina. A private family service was held earlier this week. A celebration of Pat's life will follow at a later date to give her family, friends and all those that loved her a chance to share their memories and celebrate a life very well lived. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat's name to Palliative Manitoba, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3 or via palliativemanitoba.ca. The family would like to thank Dr. T. Jacob, nurse Norma and the staff at the Health Sciences Centre for their kind and compassionate care, and for treating Pat like family during her last days. She will forever be missed. She will always be loved.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 17, 2017