JEANNETTE BOTCHAR (SPEWAK)

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JEANNETTE BOTCHAR
(nee SPEWAK)
March 21, 1933 - November 13, 2021

Peacefully on November 13, 2021, Mom passed away at Beausejour Hospital.
Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children, Eleanor (Konrad), Richard (Teresa), Randy, Bev (David); her grandchildren, Adam (Natasha), Jordan, Dominique (Kevin), Danica (Daniel); and by her five great-grandchildren. Mom was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Leon, in March of 2019, and by her brother Nicholas Spewak. Mom is survived by her siblings, Florence, Ernest, Alvin, Georgina, and Christine.
The first child of Dan and Annie Spewak, Jeannette was raised in Hazelridge growing into a beautiful young woman who caught the eye of the handsome, young Leon Botchar at a dance at the old Hazelridge Hall. Mom married Leon in 1950 and together they ran a mixed farm and raised a family. Mom worked tirelessly supporting Dad in all farming activities, tending to farm animals, and growing and preserving fresh produce that kept her growing family healthy and strong.
Mom's skills in the garden and kitchen were unsurpassed. Widely known for her extraordinary dill pickles, she could whip up a full meal for a group within 15 minutes. Mom could preserve anything that grew in preparation for the cold winter months ensuring that her family was always well fed. In later years she shared her passion for gardening and preserving with others, most notably with Danica who loved spending time in the garden with her grandma.
The garden was Mom's happy place. She spent hours in the garden tending to her produce and flowers or simply sitting in a chair watching everything grow. Mom loved touring gardens at any opportunity and jokingly said when she first stepped onto the grounds of Butchart Gardens "If I die, sprinkle my ashes here."
For as much as Mom loved gardening, she also deeply loved her grandchildren and later, her great-grandchildren. She frequently recalled funny little quotes said by each of her grandchildren when they were wee little kids and took pleasure many years later in those memories.
While at times a bit shy, Mom loved social gatherings and was most often the last to want to leave the party, especially when those gatherings were with her sisters and brothers. The volume from the giggles of the Spewak "kids" would keep everyone awake no matter how tired they were.
Cremation has taken place. A private funeral service and Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Those wishing to join the service virtually can do so by clicking http://www.stmichaelsrc.com and then click the streaming icon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memoriam to the Cooks Creek Community Centre Building Expansion Project.

To view Jeannette's photo video and to share memories and leave condolences please visit her memorial page at seaonsfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2021