BARBARA DOROTHY ELLEN (DURRANT) TODORUK

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BARBARA DOROTHY ELLEN (DURRANT) TODORUK Following a heroic battle with chronic illness and cancer, and supported by love and care in the arms of her family, Barbara Dorothy Ellen (Durrant) Todoruk, aged 62, passed peacefully into the loving arms of God on Friday, June 7, 2002, at the Arborg and District Health Centre. Words cannot adequately describe how much Barbara will be missed by family and close friends. Born in Winnipeg, MB on June 20, 1939, Barbara was raised in several rural communities before settling in Arborg, MB in 1953 with her parents and two brothers. She married Nicholas Todoruk on June 21, 1958 and remained in Arborg where they raised their family. Once her three children were of school age, she took on the additional role of working in the local department store where she stayed until 1987 when she took early retirement due to her chronic illness. Barbara was a special person who always put the needs of others before her own. Her family was her passion. She worked hard all of her life to ensure her family was surrounded by love and a sense of community and taught all of those who loved her the importance of celebrating lifes most precious moments. One of her favourite pastimes was planning and preparing for family gatherings. She was an excellent baker and cook as well as an avid gardener who took pride in her yard, flower beds and hanging baskets. Barbs passion for gardening was contagious and the inspiration of family and many friends. Barbara was also a skilled crafter and gifted artist, hand-making many beautiful gifts and mementos that will be cherished always by her family and close friends. Profoundly saddened by her loss are her husband Nicholas Todoruk; son David (Darlene) Todoruk; daughter Sharon (Michael) Campbell; and daughter Michelle (Gerry) Orchard. She will be missed most of all by her grandchildren, Bryanne and Harrison Todoruk, who were truly the light of her life. Also saddened by her loss are brother Robert (Margie) Durrant; brother Donald Durrant (Rita Shachtay) and numerous relatives and close friends whose lives were touched in so many special ways by Barbara. She was predeceased by her parents, Maurice and Amy Durrant. The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to Moms close friends, Johanna, Fay and Isabel for their care and support over the past few weeks. Thank you also to all of the staff at the Arborg and District Health Centre for their kindness, care and compassion. Funeral services will be held at the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church in Arborg, MB on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 2:00 pm. Pastor Trudy Sluth will officiate. In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Barbara to CancerCare Manitoba or the Canadian Arthritis Society. Arborg (MacKenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2002