JEANNE (DEMETRA) DOUSSIS

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JEANNE (DEMETRA) DOUSSIS Born December 5, 1966 in Winnipeg Died June 25, 2004 On the afternoon of June 25, surrounded by her closest family, our sweet Jeanne, peacefully passed away. She had been stricken by a heart attack earlier that morning at the home of her parents, Michael and Giota Doussis, who were always there for her. Jeanne was only 37. The love and light of her life, eight-year-old Andrea, was beside her momma when she died. James Penny, Jeannes partner and friend and Andreas father was also there to comfort both of them. Jeanne and James shared common interests; camping, music and the same sense of humour. But mostly they shared their love for Andrea. Jeanne always remained hopeful, and struggled to rise above the ravages of the diabetes she had lived with for 33 years. She was born in Winnipeg, but moved with her parents to Texas at seven and Florida at nine before the family settled in St. Andrews. Jeanne was shorter than most of her friends, but made up for it with her beauty, humour, wit, and relentless perseverance to enjoy life her way. She knew that her life would be short, too, particularly after her kidneys failed and she went on dialysis. So she prepared herself and her little girl. Over the last two years, fundraising raised about $13,000 for a kidney/pancreas transplant in Toronto. Much of this money came from a social that many of her friends in Winnipeg organized and promoted for her in 2002. Donations came from friends, the Greek Church, and total strangers who sympathized. Please dont take your organs to heaven, she used to say. Heaven knows we need them here. When she was 28, Jeanne knew that as a diabetic she could not wait any longer to have a child. Andrea was little more than three pounds at birth. Doctors had decided to take her early so as to reduce the stress on Jeannes body. Jeanne spent the next eight years giving Andrea every opportunity that she could. Andrea became well versed and aware of her mommas medical conditions, and was very patient with her. Andrea loved her mother with a passion. Besides her daughter Andrea and partner, James Penny, Jeanne is survived by her parents, Michael Doussis from Athens, Greece and Giota Doussis from Amalias, Greece; by her sister Victoria (Doussis) Schindle and husband Ben Schindle; her niece Nia, 15; nephew Mihalis, 13; and Vasilis, 8 of Argyle. Jeanne loved flowers, however it is her wish that we save for Andreas future education; donations may be made towards Andreas trust account, or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Prayers are Tuesday, June 29, at 7:00 p.m. at Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler Ave. at Henderson Highway and Redwood. The funeral begins at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Interment to follow at Brookside. The pallbearers are Ben Schindle, James Penny, Tim Penny, Peter Ginakes, Big Tim Panopoulos, Gordon Sinclair Jr. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM 220 Hespeler Ave. @ Henderson Hwy. 668-3151

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 28, 2004