VICTORIA LUIDMILLA MERRETT (JAKIMOWICH)

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VICTORIA LUIDMILLA MERRETT (nee JAKIMOWICH) It is with great sadness that the family announce the death of Victoria Merrett who died peacefully at home surrounded by her family after succumbing to the ravages of cancer on Friday, February 14, 2003. She is survived by her husband Stephen of Winnipeg; son Joseph of Toronto; and daughter Anne Merrett-hiley and her life partner Carol Merrett-hiley of Burnaby, BC. Born in Winnipeg on May 2, 1932, she was the only child of John and Anna Jakimowich, who migrated from Russia in 1929. She was educated at David Livingston, William Whyte and St. Johns High School where she obtained her senior matriculation in 1948. She was also a lifelong student of the violin and obtained her performers degree from the London Royal School of Music in 1950. She will primarily be remembered for her passion as an accomplished orchestral violinist. She joined the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as a student player when it was started. In her entire working career, she was only absent from that orchestra twice. Initially for some five years during which she was a member of the first violin section of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and another absence of seven years when she was busy raising her two children. When both her children were in school, she returned to the orchestra where she remained until her retirement in 1998 - a total of 49 years. During these same years she was a member of the Montreal and Winnipeg C.B.C. Orchestras, the McGill Chamber Orchestra and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. Victoria was an outstanding member of Winnipegs musical community and will be sorely missed. She will also be remembered by those who knew her for her elegance, graciousness and kindly manner, but especially for her services to others and particularly her support and encouragement of younger musicians. She waged her struggle with cancer with courage and fortitude, never losing her enthusiasm or the warm greeting she had for everyone. Sincere thanks are expressed to Dr. Harris and the staff at the Grace Hospital Oncology Unit who were always supportive and caring. As well, the family would like to thank Nurse Kate and the staff at the Winnipeg Palliative Care Program, Beatrix and the staff at Hospice Manitoba, and most particularly, Tom Roche of Cancer Care Manitoba for their compassion, care and understanding. Cremation has taken place, but a memorial service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. Flowers are gratefully declined, but those who wish to do so, may make a donation to Cancer Care Manitoba, 109 - 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2003