RONDA SCHWARTZ

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RONDA SCHWARTZ Surrounded by her family, Ronda's long battle with Multiple Myeloma and Kidney Disease came to an end on January 4, 2005 at aged 57. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband Howie Schwartz; mother Elsie Segal; mother-in-law Gertie Schwartz; daughter Lisa Morantz and son-in-law Marty Morantz; daughter Darcy Morry and fiance Lyle Grosney; grandsons Jeremy and Nathan Morantz; brother Sid Segal and sister-in-law Cindy; niece and nephew, Alissa and Mitchell Segal; sister-in-law Maureen Warren and sons; brother-in-law Ken Schwartz and sister-in-law Gayla Schwartz and daughters. She will also be greatly missed by her numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, co-workers and so many friends. She was predeceased by her father Gilbert Segal in 1995 and her second husband Donald Ross later that same year. Born in Winnipeg in 1947, Ronda attended Peretz School from age four through Grade Seven. She went on to junior high at Edmund Partridge and graduated from high school at West Kildonan Collegiate. Her uncle Harry Tregobov, a long-time dentist, encouraged her to enroll in Dental Hygiene at the University of Manitoba. She graduated in 1967. Her first job was working for the City of Winnipeg providing dental care for core area students. She married David Morry in 1968 and her first daughter Lisa was born the next year. Shorty after, Ronda returned to university as a mature student to obtain her Bachelor of Arts. During that time, she had her second daughter Darcy in 1975. Ronda graduated with a major in Psychology in 1981. Her return to dental hygiene was at her Uncle Harry's practice. In the following years, she taught dental hygiene at the dental college and assisted in a major research project on the dental health of leukemia patients. The majority of Ronda's career was then spent at Polo Park Dental Centre, where she worked until her illness prevented her from continuing. The things she enjoyed most about her work were getting to know her patients and the close friendships she formed with her co-workers. Work was just one of the many things that kept Ronda busy. In the 1970s and 80s she was an active member of ORT. She enjoyed golfing and aerobics. She loved travelling, often attending out of town weddings and events for family and friends. She loved spending time with friends in Gimli and her annual retreats to Belair Beach. She also valued her time with the Sunday Coffee Group. Ronda loved going out and sharing good times with friends. She enjoyed telling and listening to funny stories. Her sense of humour was legendary. Everyone loved joking with her and knew they could count on her optimistic attitude, as she always advised, it will all work out in the end. Ronda's two grandsons meant the world to her. She loved when others noticed the strong resemblance between her and Jeremy, both in appearance and personality. They shared a unique sense of humour. When he went to visit Little Baba , Jeremy asked if they could bake cookies together. Even though baking wasn't one of Ronda's favourite activities, she always indulged him. Nathan loved to snuggle with Little Baba who always told him how much she loved him. She so hoped she would be well enough to attend her niece Alissa's Bat Mitzvah this spring and her daughter Darcy's wedding this summer. In 1997 Ronda reunited with her friend from childhood, Howie Schwartz and these soul mates married in 1999. They enjoyed skiing and vacationing together until Ronda's illness in July 2003. At that point, Howie became her medical advocate. He made it his priority to thoroughly understand every type of treatment and medication prescribed to her. He was at every chemotherapy treatment at the beginning of her illness and her five week hospital stay following her stem cell transplant in February 2004. When dialysis began in September 2004, Howie was at Ronda's side for every treatment. He says she took care of him, but he was truly a dedicated caregiver. He encouraged her to keep fighting through her illness. Ronda persevered through all of her treatments with great bravery. The family would like to thank Dr. James Johnston and his nurse Erin of CancerCare, Heidi and all the nurses in the CancerCare treatment room, the nurses of wards D-6 and D-4 at Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Keevin Bernstein and Dr. Herman Lam of Nephrology, the nurses in Central Dialysis, Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg of Genetics/Metabolism and her staff. Special thanks to the emergency department and transport team of Grace Hospital and MICU at Health Sciences Centre. The funeral was held at Congregation Etz Chayim on Thursday, January 6, 2005 with interment at Rosh Pina Memorial Park. Rabbi Henry Balser and Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves officiated, with Ronda's brother Sid giving an eloquent eulogy. Pallbearers were Ken Schwartz, Marty Morantz, Lyle Grosney, Lyall Meyers, Mark Meyers and Brian Sheldon. Honorary pallbearer was Arthur Werier. Special thanks to Barbara Hirt, Ronda's lifelong friend, for all of her assistance to the family. Donations may be made to The Ronda Schwartz Student Award Fund in Dental Hygiene at the University of Manitoba, Department of Private Funding, 179 Continuing Education, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 474-9195. Ronda touched so many lives with her friendship, humour, kindness and love. She will be greatly missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2005