STEPHANIE MARIE CICIERSKI

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STEPHANIE MARIE CICIERSKI

Hi everyone and apologies for not posting sooner. In case you are wondering why I have not answered the phone or not received my usual Christmas card greetings, well it's because my number came up a year ago. It is true, I was happily eating breakfast and reading the various goings-on in the Winnipeg Free Press when the lights went out so to speak. Rest assured the journey from the kitchen table to here was civil and I'm again reunited with Ernie, my parents, and other long since passed relatives and friends. Although I'm over the moon with joy and happiness I am also sad that I no longer can spend time with my two sons, David and Chris; their spouses, Susan and Kirk; my grandchildren, Brennan and Ashton; my niece and nephew, Ted and Laura Lou; cousins, Barbara and Leonard; and other dear friends and family.
I guess this is the part of the obit where my lifetime achievements, hobbies, and other notables are highlighted, but since words in this column cost money, I will try to keep this brief. I grew up in the north end of Winnipeg as part of a proud Ukrainian community. Boyd Avenue and Sinclair Street to be specific. I spent my elementary school days at Faraday School and then moved on to Isaac Newton for junior and senior high. After graduation, I attended classes at the Misericordia Hospital and became an x-ray technician. I fell in love, married my sweetheart Ernie, and had two wonderful children. I loved traveling and was able to make it to far off places in Mexico, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. I especially loved visiting my in-laws, childhood friend Louise and brother-in-law Frank, in the idyllic Manitoba town of Russell. Equally memorable time was time spent at my husband's childhood farmstead home in Marchwell, Saskatchewan. In addition to devoting my energies to my family, I am proud of my volunteer work with the Holy Family Nursing Home's Ladies Auxiliary and the Holy Eucharist Parish and all that we accomplished together. By the way, you must attend one of their Spring Teas. That is, when this nasty pandemic is over and teas resume in full force. When you do, please mention that I sent you as this will get you preferred seating and an extra dainty or pinwheel sandwich.
In terms of final thoughts for all my friends and family who are still doing their thing on Mother Earth, please know that I miss you all dearly and I'm comforted in knowing that in time we will all be together. Be good and kind to one another. Help and support family through words or cold hard cash as you cannot take it with you. And please for goodness sake don't nag the kids when they don't mow the lawn or practice the piano, life's too short.
Until we meet again, I sign off with the customary Ukrainian saying,

Vichnaya Pamyat
(Everlasting Memory)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 09, 2021