VERNA MARGARET LEHMAN (SHAW / SZEWCZYK)

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VERNA MARGARET LEHMAN
(nee SHAW / SZEWCZYK)

Verna passed away January 17, 2020, at Misericordia Place, Winnipeg.
Verna was born in Winnipeg on January 26, 1923, the first born of parents who had emigrated from Poland circa 1920. Growing up in North Winnipeg with her three sisters, she became involved in Polish cultural activities that included singing and dancing. The piano would become a central theme for the family gatherings...particularly at Christmas. When asked to play a tune, Mom's go to song was St. Louis Blues.
Mom attended St. John's High School where she made many lifelong friends. As a youth and young woman, five pin bowling, roller skating, and bicycling were her favourite pastimes.
Verna was an adventurous soul who exuded joy, kindness, and generosity. The global and local challenges of the 1930s and 1940s required a fortitude that she had in spades. Along with her sisters, Mom took on a position within the family business.
Mom had close relatives in the neighbouring community of Transcona, where she would ultimately meet her husband George Lehman (married 1947) through introductions by her cousins. Together they helped the family business to continue to grow and prosper.
In 1953, Mom gave birth to Victoria and 20 months later to Jeffrey. To her children, Mom gave her all and her best. Needless to say the challenges of raising children in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s created some unique generational learning opportunities.
Mom completed her personal goal of graduating from Grade 12 and in doing so opened doors to new friendships and inspirations. As her children navigated their way through their life challenges, Mom was always there to help...even to the extent of becoming a live-in nanny.
In 1997 Verna became a widow. She continued to thrive well into her late 80s, however the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia were debilitating. Victoria worked courageously to provide the best quality of life for Mom in her remaining years.
Verna was predeceased by her husband George, parents, Fred and Victoria, sisters, Evelyn and Phyllis, brother-in-law George Offrowich, nephew Georgie Offrowich and granddaughter Meredith Legaree Ivall.
Left to remember Verna's legacies are her daughter Victoria, grandson Dr. Samuel Victor (Niki), son Jeff (Lorene Legaree) of Atikokan, ON, grandson Grant Legaree, granddaughter Paige Gascoigne (Brad) of Atikokan, great-grandson Lincoln, great-granddaughter Wiora, sister Janette (Ivan Jozanovic), niece Evelyn Ross (Alex Washington) of Las Vegas, NV, and nephew Gordon Johnston.
Much appreciation and thanks are extended to the staff and management at Misericordia Place for their dedication, compassion and caring.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2020