THELMA SEBASTYAN (ROSS) -

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THELMA SEBASTYAN (nee ROSS) 1919 - 2002 With great sadness we announce the passing of Thelma Sebastyan (nee Ross) on April 30, 2002, in Prince George, BC. Thelma was born in Portage La Prairie, MB, on May 19, 1919, first child of Grace (nee Henry) and Bob Ross of Lavenham, MB. Her parents moved to Saskatchewan in the mid-twenties and Thelma remained with her maternal grandparents until the age of 10. She was a devoted granddaughter until their deaths in 1939 and 1941. At the age of 18, in Portage, she married Murray Ennis of Walpole, SK and inherited four stepsons. Murray was deceased in 1944. The two youngest sons, David and Jim, remained devoted to her throughout her life. Thelma married again in 1945. In 1948, when she was alone again, she and two-year-old daughter Gerry moved to Winnipeg to be closer to David and Jim. Thelma married Stanley Sebastyan in 1963. He predeceased her in 1977. She was predeceased by her father in 1985; her mother in 1991; her brother Clifford; son Jim in 1997, and very sadly by the pride and joy of her life, her daughter Gerry in 1991. In 1994, at the age of 75, she relocated to Prince George to be closer to her siblings and her sons. Left to mourn are her son David of Salmon Arm, BC; her brothers, Leith and Leslie; sisters, Betty, Edna, Doreen and Vera; special niece Rene Gray and nephew Vernon; granddaughter Kristen Patterson of Winnipeg; loving granddaughter Valerie Kirk of Coquitlam, BC; grandsons, Wade and Bruce of Surrey, BC and three great-grandsons. Also left are her dear friends, John and Georgina DeJong, along with their children, Patrick, Maureen and Kelly (her two special goddaughters), Georgia Moffat, Brian and Sandy Johnston and family, and dearest companion and friend Leon. While living in Prince George, she made many new and valued friendships and connections. She especially appreciated her good friend Donna Howe and the staff at Prince George Coast Inn of the North, where she spent many a Christmas and New Years; her landlords of Lakewood Manor, Dale and Alvin Scarff and daughter Crystal who treated her as family, always remembering special days and looking in on her regularly. They were always there when she needed help or a pick-me-up. Her loved ones and friends were her most treasured possessions. She always said her only claim to fame was being the FIRST WOMAN IN CANADA TO SELL REAL ESTATE FOR ROYAL TRUST. We, her friends and family, will miss her special wit and laughter. Friends and family extend a special thank you to Dr. Raymond and his assistant Mary and all the staff at Prince George Hospital where she spent a few weeks here and there over the years. Dr. Raymonds extra care and loving attention to the end of her days were a godsend to all those who loved Thelma. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved Stan in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Funeral service will be held on Monday, May 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2002