Sonia GREGORY

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GREGORY: Sonia Ella (nee Harapiak) left her family in a calm, peaceful fashion in the early hours of Sunday, March 29, 2015. Sonia was born on February 20, 1937, on the family farm (NE 36-28-33), in the R.M. of Ethelbert (Mink Creek area), to Mike and Mary (nee Manchur) Harapiak. Sonia grew up on the farm with her brothers Orest and Stanley. She attended school in a one room schoolhouse near the farm until grade six and then continued her education through correspondence at home. Sonia went on to high school at Gilbert Plains, Manitoba and boarded with a family there. After graduating from Gilbert Plains, Sonia attended training at the Brandon Mental Hospital to become a registered psychiatric nurse, graduating from the program in 1957. Sonia made nursing a lifelong career, looking after others until two years ago when her health declined. Sonia's nursing career took her to Hamiota, Thompson and Brandon, Manitoba. In 1955, she met the love of her life, John Roy Gregory, with whom she spent fifty-seven years of marriage. Sonia met Roy while he was on leave from the Princess Pats (PPCL1) before going overseas. Plenty of letters were exchanged between the two while Roy was stationed overseas and thus the beginning of their courtship. They married on April 19, 1958 and their first and only child was born the following year. Sonia is survived by her husband Roy; daughter Barbara (Morley); grandchildren Shea Wiley, Aaron Wiley, Rhianan Gregory (Justin), Rachel Robertson (Cody), Emmett Robertson; great granddaughter Helena; sister-in-law Olga Harapiak; brother-in-law Larry (Marg) Gregory; ten nieces, five nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Sonia was predeceased by her parents Mike and Mary Harapiak; brothers Orest and Stanley; nephew Dean Harapiak; her in-laws Jack and Helen Gregory, Bernie Gregory, Lyle Gregory, Glen and Ruth Gregory, Wilf and Eunice Everett. Throughout her life Sonia was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all of us, past and present, who knew her. She had a truly caring and giving soul. A special thank you to the Assiniboine Palliative Care team for your devoted and excellent care Sonia received. Service details will be announced at a later date. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Sonia may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415 1st Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2W8. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 04, 2015