LEONA ANNE KABAN

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LEONA ANNE KABAN November 19, 1947 - April 8, 2004 Leona Kaban R.N., B.A., M.Ed., after a lengthy illness, passed away on April 8 at her home in Winnipeg with her family at her side. No words can express the profound grief of her husband of 33 years, Gene, her mother Mary Slobodzian, her brother Peter Slobodzian and his wife Carol, her sister Joy Solomon and her husband John, her mother-in-law Pauline Kaban, her sister-in-law Lesia (Kaban) and her husband Dennis Wilson, her brother-in-law Allan Kaban and his wife Doreen and the many nieces and nephews whom Leona and Gene cherished as their own children. Leona was predeceased by her father Alex Slobodzian of Dauphin, MB, her father-in-law Michael Kaban of Russell, MB and her brother-in-law Melvin Kaban of Victoria, BC. Leonas remarkable career in nursing began as a general duty nurse at the Dauphin General Hospital and progressed to her becoming team leader in the Winnipeg Psychogeriatric Program at the Riverview Health Centre and co-Chairperson of the Winnipeg Psychogeriatric Services Advisory Committee. During the 1990s, Leona became a highly knowledgeable consultant in gerontology and wrote and lectured extensively on the subject. As a presenter, she imparted her extensive knowledge and experiences at many conferences. Among the most prominent were conferences of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, Canadian Critical Care Nursing, The Manitoba Health Organization, the Manitoba Public Health Association, National Home Care, and the 9th Congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association. A highlight in her career was taking part in the Canadian Ambassador Program as a delegate to Russia and the Czech Republic. As a practitioner, an author and a speaker, she made an indelible imprint on the provision of services to the elderly. Most significantly, Leona was committed to nursing in the community, particularly at the primary care level which empowered seniors to focus on their wellness. Leonas gift was the ability to complement technical expertise with compassion, humour and wisdom. This gift invigorated her patients and their families, inspired her colleagues and made her irreplaceable to her family and friends. More specifically, Leona was highly respected as a strong role model in the lives of her nieces and nephews. They continually sought her wisdom and guidance as they embarked on their paths in life. In her personal life, Leona loved the arts, whether music, dance or theatre. When time allowed, she worked at her passion for sports, particularly golfing, curling and skiing. Her family provided hours of entertainment on the home front as she and Gene followed their many games of curling, volleyball and hockey. Leona and Gene were also learned travellers gracing their home with artifacts from around the globe. Cremation has taken place. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service on Wednesday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will take place at the Glen Eden Funeral Home at 4477 Main St. In lieu of flowers, Leona wished to have donations made to a charity of choice. "Death is nothing at all; I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow; life means all that it ever meant. Why should I be out of mind only because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well." Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolences at www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 12, 2004