GLORIA ANNE HEUVEL

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GLORIA ANNE HEUVEL

Gloria Anne Heuvel, aged 92, entered eternal rest on September 2, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Rose Farion; four brothers, David, Philip, Joseph and Melvyn; husband John (Jack); son Scott, and daughter Lindor Reynolds.
She is survived by her son Richard (Brenda) of West St. Paul; grandchildren, Nichole (TJ) of Orlando; Kate (Alex) of Vancouver; Chantel (Sean) of Kamloops; John (Kathrin) of Winnipeg; and great-grandchildren, Derek, Ryker and Mason.
Gloria will be lovingly remembered by many friends, nieces and nephews; cousins, Joanne Huyda of Winnipeg, Richard (Elaine) Huyda of Ottawa; niece Debbie Farion of Winnipeg; son-in-law Neil (Tanis) Dempsey of Winnipeg.
Gloria was born in Sifton, MB on March 5, 1928. Her walks to school as a child while stepping into the footprints made by her brothers walking ahead in the snow, no doubt gave birth to the dream of her one day becoming a school teacher. Just as in one of her favourite childhood books - What Katy Did at School by Susan Coolidge - at the tender age of 13, Gloria fearlessly boarded a train to LaCombe, AB to attend the all-girls College Heights Seventh Day Adventist School, leaving her mother Rose drying her tears at the Sifton Train Station.
Gloria would later attend Normal School in Winnipeg. Her inevitable teaching career began in a one-room schoolhouse in the Ukraina area near Sifton. Eventually she would share her love of art with her grade seven students on the banks of the Red River under the tutelage of her beloved Principal Victor Wyatt at Norberry Elementary School in St. Vital.
Gloria's love of art and reading would be a lifetime endeavour which is probably why she was so good at doing the crossword puzzle in the Free Press. Her gifted art skills and knowledge would extend beyond retirement from teaching as she became a valuable and respected volunteer at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and for the Winnipeg Symphony.
Gloria and her husband Jack were doting parents who encouraged and supported their children in their life adventures whether it was Scott's engineering prowess, Lindor's award-winning journalism for the Winnipeg Free Press or watching Richard play hockey as a young man, later to become a diligent and conscientious worker for the West St. Paul Public Works. Gloria was a wonderful grandmother who loved teaching her grandkids to bake, sew and create.
One cannot speak about Gloria's life without mentioning the enjoyment that she and Jack experienced on their trips to the Barbados; the friendships they forged during the countless trips there to escape the cold Winnipeg winters. Whether it was a story about baby sea turtles, birds flying through the screen-less windows in their condo, the Canadian dinners they served to their friends, the church services held outdoors on benches, the chats with neighbours as they congregated knee-deep in the beautiful Caribbean water while drinking rum or the lifelong friendship they forged with Russell and Linda - Gloria's deep love of the island vividly shone through when she shared her memories.
The family would like to extend their appreciation for the wonderful support provided by the staff at the Victoria Hospital, the Rosewood Revera and the Get U There company. Your sensitivity and loving care will always be remembered. Special mention and gratitude is extended to Dr. Rabson, cardiologist.
A funeral service will be held at Glen Eden Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4477 Main Street on Tuesday, September 8.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice or to the J. Scott Heuvel Scholarship Fund at Rossbrook House, 658 Ross Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2020