DORIS THOMPSON NIMCHONOK SELIGMAN

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DORIS THOMPSON NIMCHONOK SELIGMAN Please help me celebrate the life of my mother Doris. She was born in the Womens Pavilion in Winnipeg on August 28, 1915 to Meyer and Rachel Thompson, their 13th and last child. Doris spent her first ten years on a farm in the Pine Falls area, growing up with Benny, Joe, Solly and Sophie, who were still at home. Meyer died when Doris was ten and the family moved into Winnipeg. By age 13 Doris had her hairdressing license from Pollocks Beauty School. She had her own clients and also helped her sister Edith Schwartz in her beauty parlour. At 15, she married Louis Nimchonok, with whom she shared her life for the next 19 years. Doris was very close to her mother, whom she nursed through asthma and heart problems, only to lose Rachel when she was 20. Doris was always independent, running her own appliance store in her twenties. In 1950, Doris married Sam Seligman, to whom she bore her only child, Renee. She helped Sam run Thompson Knitting Company, where they manufactured Icelandic woolen mitts and socks until 1977, when Sam passed away. To everyone who knew Doris, she was a true friend, always giving of herself to help others in any way that she could. She was never afraid to speak her mind, but always did it to help others and not just to hear herself talk. She was considerate of peoples feelings and never tried to hurt anyone. Her advice was logical and caring, keeping in mind the best interests of her listeners. She enjoyed being a part of the Stay Young Group for over 20 years, especially singing out in the choir. My mother is, and always will be, my best friend. Between 1979 and 1984 we travelled all over Europe and North America as girlfriends. In July 1985, she rejoiced at my wedding to Gary Leibl, whom she called her son and never her son-in-law. Our son, Shimon, born in 1987, became the apple of her eye. She even special ordered a rollaway bed for his overnights at her apartment. By 1992, Doriss health was suffering. Carpal tunnel in both hands and arthritis in her hands and spine started to take its toll. In 1995, mom moved in with us, and we lived together for six years until her physical condition worsened to the extent that she needed constant care. Mom spent her last year at the north-end Sharon Home. She didnt want to transfer to the new home because she loved interacting with the staff: Fern, Diane, Roma, Alla, Garnet, Candy, Elizabeth, Diane, Brenda, Julie, Flora, Tricia, Marion, and all of the staff on the three shifts of the first floor. After a short illness, mom passed away May 20, 2002. All who knew her will sorely miss her.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 22, 2002