MARGARET CLARA TOLOSKO (BAKER)

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MARGARET CLARA TOLOSKO (nee BAKER) Tragically due to complications resulting from a pedestrian accident two weeks ago, Mom went to be with Our Lord and her beloved husband Anton on Monday, October 4, 1999, at the Health Sciences Centre. Mom was born on September 24, 1913 in Humboldt, SK, to Anton and Pauline Baker (Becker). She married Anton Tolosko on July 9, 1939. She is survived by her two daughters, Judy (Larry) Desmarais of Vermilion Bay, ON, and Sandi (Alan) Bodnarchuk of Tyndall, MB; her grandchildren, Louise (Alden) Hnatiuk, Dan Desmarais, Michele (Jeff) Sopko, Nicole (Peter) Rottler, Leanne (Grant) Schmidt and Cory Bodnarchuk; her great-grandchildren, David and Sydney Hnatiuk, Danielle and Dylan Desmarais, Rylan and Tyler Sopko, Katherine, Erin and Rebecca Rottler and Alexandra Schmidt; her sisters, Caroline Tolosko, Elsie (Steve) Rysen, Kathie (John) Kruk, Lil (George) Schreyer; her brothers, Clarence (Ilene) Baker, Ed (Victoria) Baker; and many nephews, nieces and godchildren and also by her constant companion Fritzie (nobody had a smarter cat!). She was predeceased by her husband Anton on May 24, 1988; her parents, Pauline and Anton Baker; sisters, Adeline Sutherland and Josephine Smyk. Mom was a tiny dynamo who loved being with people, enjoyed a good joke but enjoyed telling one even more. Mom was a school teacher in her younger years and up to the time of her death, had a sharp mind and quick wit. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, but lamented that they were never hard enough. Canasta games with her lady friends, was something she looked forward to and we hope there is canasta in heaven. Mom sewed and crocheted - making sure all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and godchildren had afghans. She had a keen sense of style always wanting to be dressed nicely before leaving the house. She would comment to people oh my girls dress me. Her home was a place where all felt welcome and her family could not leave without a container of her borscht or chicken soup. If you were really lucky, you would get her famous meat perogies or buckwheat holopchi. Mom loved to fish and when Dad was alive, they had their favourite spots. A master anglers award hangs proudly on her wall. When Dad passed away, she never went fishing again. She enjoyed winters in Santa Rosa, Texas, but that too was something she did with Dad - so she sold her property and never went back. Mom adjusted to life without Dad and was an inspiration to all because of her determination to stay in her home, be independent, and never be a problem to anyone. She succeeded in doing exactly that and we were so very proud of her. She was respected and loved by all who knew her and will be missed beyond words. A prayer service will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Marys Roman Catholic Church. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, October 8 at 10:30 a.m. also in the St. Marys Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Owen Steeves the celebrant. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. The family would like to thank Susan Atkinson for taking Mom to the hospital and staying with her until Sandi got there; Dr. Dueck and the nurses at the Beausejour Hospital for their care and concern; the doctors and nurses at Health Sciences Centre, GA5 who cared for Mom and fought so hard to keep her with us. Her pallbearers will be Dan Desmarais, Cory Bodnarchuk, Andy Baker, Brian Schreyer, David Kruk and Don Kasianchuk. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in Moms memory to Special Equipment, New Beausejour Hospital Building Fund, 151 First St., South, Box 1178, Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0. Beautiful rest for the weary Well deserved rest for the true, When our lifes journey is ended - We shall again be with you - Love you, Mom. Sobering Funeral Chapel and Crematorium in care of arrangements; phone 1-204-268-3510.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 1999