SHIRLEY LACZKO

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SHIRLEY LACZKO With family by her side, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, Shirley Laczko passed away in the early morning hours of January 27, 2005 at 70 years of age. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Diana and her son Simon; Michael and his wife Martine and their children, Marika and Marek; Wanda and her husband Richard and their children, Andrew, Breanna and Meghan. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Roland, Joyce, Ken and Betty-Lynn; her brother-in-law, Allan and their families. Shirley is predeceased by her loving husband John; parents Gladys and Clifford Reshaur; John's parents, Judith and Peter Laczko; and her sister Darlene Wallace. Above all else, Shirley was a devoted and supportive Mom and Grandma. She took the greatest pleasure in the smallest accomplishment. She always made her family feel loved. The depth of that love was always evident in the strength and warmth of her hugs. Mom was born on May 12, 1934 in Golden Stream, MB. She spent 20 years on the family farm outside Gladstone before marrying John Laczko on June 16, 1954. They moved to Birtle, MB where John was employed as a mechanic and Diana was born. Several years later, they moved to Rivers where Michael was born. Immediately following Wanda's birth in the early 1960's, they moved to Transcona, living first on Victoria Street and then Parade Drive. Shirley and John spent nearly 30 years on Parade Drive where they were an active part of a closely-knit group of neighbours. While John became an instructor in the diesel mechanics department of Red River Community College, Shirley had a long career in retail sales, first at Woolco and then at The Bay. Shirley's hobbies included crafts, baking, sewing, bowling, curling, travel, watching her favourite soap operas and playing with her grandchildren, whom she adored. A lifelong member of the United Church, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. In early 1993, Shirley and John decided the time had come to downsize, and so moved to a condo on St. Anne's Road. They remained in close contact with their old friends from Transcona, especially Florence and Doug Madden, with whom they had enjoyed a lifelong friendship. With John's passing in 1995, Shirley found comfort and companionship with family and friends, and enjoyed a social life that included travel, card parties, lunches and early morning mall walking to keep in shape. Her home was always filled with music and fresh flowers. Her most recent companion was her kitten, Mia, who kept her laughing in spite of increasing evidence that her illness was progressing. The last two difficult weeks of Shirley's life were spent at the MICU of St. Boniface Hospital, where she finally succumbed to complications from cancer. Sincere thanks to St. Boniface Hospital CancerCare, Dr. John Foerster, the staff of 5B, and the dedicated medical professionals of the MICU, especially Therese, Marcel, Michele, Shelley and Lisa. In Shirley's memory, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3. Please remember to donate blood. Our Mom was able to spend a wonderful Christmas season with her family largely due to the many blood transfusions that she received. LOVE AND GO ON You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 1 at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. with viewing one half hour prior to the service. A reception will follow. 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

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2005