FLORENCE SMOLINSKI

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FLORENCE SMOLINSKI Peacefully, with her family at her side, Mom passed away at Red River Place Personal Care Home on October 20, 2001 at the age of 79. Mom was predeceased by her husband Joseph; brother Martin; sisters, Anne (Kostiniuk), Mary (Boyko), Helen (Ewasko). Mom will be lovingly remembered by her son Ralph, daughter-in-law Peggy, granddaughters, Donna (Nathan Mandziuk), Tammy (Robert Belanger) daughter Diane and grandson Robert; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jordan, Kristin and Lise. Sister Lily Gerylo (William), and brother Victor Bretchka (Helen), as well as numerous nieces and nephews and close friends. Mom, "Gram", Great-grandma, Auntie Florence, will be remembered for her welcoming smiles and hugs and her special gift of being a wonderful listener. Mom was born September 10, 1922 in Walkleyburg, MB to Frances and Peter Bretchka. In 1943 she married Joseph Smolinski and they resided in Winnipeg for three years. They returned to Walkleyburg and farmed until 1975. Life was busy on the farm, doing chores, gardening, and canning, preparing huge meals for family gatherings and caring for her grandchildren on weekends. She enjoyed her community and always found time to visit family and neighbours, playing cards, and going to barn dances. Following Joes retirement, they moved to Selkirk. Florence was employed at Selkirk General Hospital and enjoyed many new hobbies - bingo, bowling and "hosting" numerous garage sales. Mom was a member of Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church and its Womens League in Selkirk. During her illness and even in her deepest suffering, her faith in God never wavered. Mom was a loving and caring person who always helped her family and others who needed her help. She will be greatly missed. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Red River Place and Dr. Lindenschmidt for the care and compassion shown to Mom. Prayers will be said on Wednesday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, 309 Eveline St., Selkirk. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 269 Jemima St., Selkirk, with Fr. Boguslaw Wardzinski officiating. Interment to follow in the Parish Cemetery, Mapleton. Her pallbearers will be Robert Belanger, Nathan Mandziuk, Ray Kashuba, Glen Dudeck, Steve Fedak, Ralph Kubic, Walter Kostiniuk, and Gary Gerylo. Flowers are gratefully declined in favour of donations to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301 - 352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8. Dont think of her as gone away - her journeys just begun, life holds so many facets - this earth is only one... Just think of her as resting from the sorrow and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years. Think how she must be wishing that we could know today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched... for nothing loved is ever lost - and she was loved so much. VICHNAYA PAMYAT Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 23, 2001