GLADYS ELEANOR MAZUR (SMITH)

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GLADYS ELEANOR MAZUR
(nee SMITH)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful Mom, Gladys Eleanor (nee Smith) Mazur on October 9, 2019.
Predeceased by the love of her life Edward Joseph Mazur; her parents, John and Janet 'Nettie' Smith; and her siblings, John, Jen, Blanche, Joyce, Donna; and brothers-in-law, Les, Buck, Willie, Jim.
Mom will be greatly missed by her six children, Mark (Maria), Roxana, Ramona (Nat), Joel (Cindy), Mace (Karen), Max; and eight grandchildren, Mackenzie, Mitchel, Cassidy, Cali, Gina, Joseph, Rebecca and Joshua; and her dog Starr. Mom is also survived by her siblings, Gerald (Dot), Edna, Roy (Linda); and brothers-in-law, John Pass and Stan Mazur, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Moose Jaw, SK in 1933, lived for a time in Griffin and Weyburn, SK and then moved back to Moose Jaw and finished high school at Moose Jaw Central High. The second youngest of nine children, she would talk of long walks to school through the farmers' fields and across the train tracks with all her siblings. As she would try to keep up, her brother Gerald would wait for her as she doddled behind. Raised on a farm, she would talk about her Mother giving meals to the travellers who would jump the tracks looking for work along the way during the depression years. It is where Mom learned her ever giving and open hearted ways. Not one to say much, never one to gossip, but always with a patient hand.
Mom moved to Winnipeg in the 1950s to attend the school of nursing at Misercordia Hospital where she graduated in 1958. While at the school of nursing, Mom met Dad on a blind date set up by her roommates. Even though she didn't know anything about hockey, they were in love and married in 1959. Mom and Dad were inseparable. In the early years, Dad's hockey career in the AHL took the family to Cleveland, Rhode Island and Victoria. Mom would drive alone with the kids in tow to meet up with Dad after he left for training camp (five kids under age five). They would always come home for the offseason to live in the same family home in Winnipeg.
After staying home to raise the kids, Mom, at the age of 47, went back to school to take her nurse's recertification courses. In 1982, she went back to nursing on 5 E.C.U at St. Boniface Hospital and retired in 1991. However, she did not miss a beat as she attended many a reunion with her class of 1958 with the Misercordia Nurse's Alumni.
We have many great memories of our family vacations in our camper to many provincial and national parks and especially to Detroit Lakes. Mom always had us packed and ready to go. Mom enjoyed her many great travels with Dad especially to the Santa Rosa Hockey Tournaments. After Dad passed, Mom travelled with her sisters to places like Portugal, Hawaii and Mexico.
Over the years, Mom took up painting, woodworking, French /Spanish lessons, Tai Chi, dog training and she was active at the YMCA. Mom volunteered for many activities in particular at Riverview Health Centre Optometry clinic. Always keeping busy.
Mom was a fixture in the neighbourhood and remained living in the house where all her kids were raised (59 years). The home was the venue for hosting countless family dinners, barbecues, and Christmas mornings that brought the whole family together. Many neighbours would say Mom was an inspiration as she would be out walking her dogs in any kind of weather two or three times a day. Mom was mighty and strong, never one to complain. She loved her home, her neighbourhood, and her crosswords which she did every morning after reading the paper.
Many thanks go to CancerCare, St. Boniface Hospital, WRHA Palliative Care Team, and her longtime family doctor Dr. Nene Rush.

We will miss you terribly Mom
but you were tired, and won the
battle to be reunited with Dad.

Funeral Mass of Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 24 at Christ the King Parish, 847 St. Mary's Rd., at 10:00 a.m.
Flowers gratefully declined. If you wish, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or to Christ The King Parish, 847 St. Mary's Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3P6.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2019