HAROLDINE EVELYN BEREZA (FEE) (MORTENSON)

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HAROLDINE EVELYN BEREZA (FEE) (nee MORTENSON) This is to celebrate the life of our partner, mother, grandmother, and sister. She did not truly leave us on September 11, 2003, for she lives on in our hearts and in us, her loved ones. Those left to love her include her partner, Barrie Fee of 20 years; her son Barry Bereza; her daughter Sharon Dyck and her husband Mika Nurminen; her grandchildren, Amanda and Ricky Dyck, all from Winnipeg; also her sisters, Ruth Turner (Jim) and Marlene Gerrie (Gordon) from Comox, BC, Doreen Shelvey (Steve) from Winnipeg, Roberta Bower (Tony) from Vancouver; brother-in-law Ed Bereza (Gail) from Windsor, ON and her nieces and nephews and their children. She was born in Climax, SK on December 18, 1930 and the family moved to Winnipeg when she was a child. She grew up and stayed here all of her life. She met our father at the Fort Rouge Legion at a dance and from that sprang us, her children, and a marriage that lasted 25 years until they divorced. It is funny now though for I have lived just behind this Legion for almost 30 years and her love of bingo has brought her back for about 15 years. For the last three years she has lived with me, Sharon, my husband, and my son Ricky. Her illness brought us together as a family and we cherish every moment we had with her, even the bad times. I have to thank my husband for all he has done for her and for me in the past year. I am sure there are times when he thought, "What did I get into?" and he left his beloved Finland and family to help me care for her. My husband I cannot thank you enough. Harry, as she liked to be called was a hairdressing teacher at Marvel and Pollocks. She also had her own shop out of the house in Transcona and on Hamilton in St. James until the arthritis made it impossible to continue. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren, especially at Christmas and her journeys to bingo with my brother and me. The last couple of years it was just my brother that accompanied her there and he will miss that time with her. Even though he would get ticked because he had so many sweats and turned into a foul mood. I hope that made you smile, my Bro. The family would like to thank all of the home care workers that really cared especially Maria. You became family to us and we will love you for the special things you did for Mom and the family. We would also like to thank the Grace Hospital for allowing us to have the privacy and the love and care of the nurses during all of her stays there and when she was very ill. A great big thank you to Dr. Bilos for being just a phone call away. Mom will be cremated. There will not be a service because she wants her ashes to be given to the waters off the coast of Kona Hawaii, probably on her birthday this year. She and my grandmother will be riding the dolphins together then. They are probably playing poker now and swearing at each other. Tee hee Aunt Ruth and Dodie. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made in Moms name to the Hospice Project that the Grace Hospital, 390 Booth Dr., R3J 3M7, is building for families with loved ones in their time of need. I think Mom would like that because we did not have that opportunity in the hospital. I myself think it is important to have that home atmosphere rather than a cold hospital room, which is stressful for everyone. Mom, by the way, you arent getting off so easy. My best friend, Ill be talking to you every day. I love you so very, very much Mom. Now go play cards with Marge. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 20, 2003