EMILY WILSON (ZABORNIAK)

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EMILY WILSON (nee ZABORNIAK) After a long struggle with diabetes and heart ailments, Emily Wilson passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg. She had recently celebrated her 75th birthday with her family. Emily was born in Winnipeg on July 15, 1929, the eldest daughter of Mary (Choman) and Joseph Zaborniak, who had immigrated to Canada from Poland. Together with younger sister Helen (McCammon), she attended both English and Ukrainian schools in East Kildonan, becoming fluent in both languages. An excellent student, Emily earned a scholarship to St. Marys Academy. She was recognized as a talented artist and upon graduating from high school she attended the Winnipeg School of Art (University of Manitoba). There Emily was to meet her future husband, William (Bill) Robert Arthur Wilson, a quietly humourous artist who had just recently served as a pilot and training instructor in the Canadian Air Force during the war. Four years later they were married at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg on a very hot September 27, 1952. Her graduation from the School of Art prepared her for her career with Eatons as an interior designer. In January of 1954, the birth of her first child, daughter Lia, changed her focus from career to family. In 1958, the birth of daughter Jennifer completed the family and together with Bill she worked hard to provide a good home. Throughout their life together, Emily and Bill always took care of one another with great dedication and selflessness through various illnesses and surgeries. Later, after Bill retired, Emily spent the last years of his life caring for him through his prolonged illness from pulmonary fibrosis. She was his constant companion, his closest friend and confidante and she loved him dearly. After his passing in June of 1996, Emilys health deteriorated and she had to move from her beloved house on Barker Boulevard to the Westhaven in St. James. She had not resided there long before she was admitted to the hospital to undergo an amputation of the right leg above the knee due to complications from diabetes. After the surgery she spent nearly a year of slow recovery and rehabilitation at the Interim Care Ward of Deer Lodge Centre (3 South), where she surprised everyone by learning to walk with a prosthetic limb despite her frailty, and to operate her power wheelchair, which gave her the mobility and independence that she cherished. She moved to her final home at Riverview Health Centre (CD4) early in 2004. She made many friends at both hospitals among the staff and fellow patients with her positive attitude, genuine caring and good listening skills. Emily was a supportive mother and loving grandmother to James and Lauren (Blackburn), who were the apples of her eye. She found great comfort in the Lord and her Catholic faith, especially throughout the numerous diabetes and heart-related challenges. With a fierce spirit she never gave up hope, and continually surprised all who knew her with her ability to pull through the bleakest of moments. Emily was predeceased by her husband Bill; father Joseph; mother Mary and earlier this year, by her son-in-law David (Plews). Her passing will be greatly mourned by her daughters, Lia (Wilson/Plews) and Jennifer (Blackburn) son-in-law Barry Blackburn; grandchildren, James and Lauren; sister Helen and brother-in-law Dick McCammon; niece Catherine McCammon and family, nephew Ian McCammon, and many other family members. Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all those who took such excellent care of Emily, including Dr. Josh Koulack, Dr. Richard McCammon, Dr. McConnell, physiotherapist Mark and the dedicated staff of Deer Lodge Centre and Riverview Health Centre CD4, especially Pat Yamata, Linda, Vinnie, Kim, and many others. She was continually thankful to spend her last months in such a lovely facility with its wonderfully caring staff. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverview Health Centre Chapel, 1 Morley Ave., with a short reception to follow in the Thomas Sill Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emily Wilsons name to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2004