MARY SHEWCHUN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY SHEWCHUN On Saturday, December 20, 2003, with peace and serenity, our dear mother, Mary Shewchun, age 83 years, passed on at the Desalaberry District Health Centre in St. Pierre Jolys, MB, in the presence of her son Dennis and her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Randy, and the very caring and supportive medical staff. Death gives our mother freedom from cancer and reunites her with her loved ones who passed on before her. Knowing this brings us great comfort. She is survived by her brother Steve and his family; her Aunt Lena and Uncle Steve; her cousin Nettie in Maple Ridge, BC; her nephew Donald and his wife Pat and their children, Iris and Bill and their family, Jim and Connie and their children, and other extended family. She will be missed by many friends as she had the wonderful ability to form long, meaningful relationships. She will be especially missed by her cherished childhood friend, Frances, in Rainy River, ON and her dear friends, Ed and Elizabeth and children in Winnipeg. Knowing that death was approaching, we had the opportunity to talk about the special memories of life. These included her exhilarated joy of being a student at United College, skating on ice ponds in Prince Edward Island, parenting, working at Grebb Shoes where she was employed as number 1 skiver (skiving is the process of splitting leather with a skiving machine, a term first used in 1875) and then at Boeing Aircraft as a plastic technician, having various pets, her trailer at St. Malo campground, her love of gardening, California poppies swaying in the gentle breeze, meeting with the ladies of the church to make perogies was a very special time for her, and her passion for reading, cooking, knitting, sewing, music, and doing word puzzles. Life was always full and those who met her experienced her joy of life and her sweet, beautiful smile and sparkling eyes which remained with her until the very end of her time with us. She wanted us to give a very special thank you to her "extended family" at the Chalet Malouin in St. Malo where she resided. These were truly cherished years for her, filled with many wonderful memories and friendships. We, her children, say thank you to the staff and residents for adding so much happiness to our mothers life and for your tender watchful care of her throughout her battle with cancer. On December 24 we remembered her life with the residents and the staff of the Chalet with a remembrance service and tea at the Chalet. A very special thank you to the staff of the Desalaberry District Health Centre. It was a comfort to us to know that in her frequent stays she felt so safe in your devoted care. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Duplessis, Deacon Louis Gosselin, Rev. John Melnyk, and Marion and Wayne Wiwsoniski. Respecting our mothers wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will not be a formal service. In the summer, her favourite time of the year, with the flowers in bloom, the leaves on the trees, and the birds in song, we, her children, will celebrate her life. We will think of you each day as You will always be in our hearts

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2003