JEAN ROSE SPARKES (POLANSKI)

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JEAN ROSE SPARKES (nee POLANSKI) Peacefully early in the morning of February 10, 2005 Jean Rose Sparkes passed away at the Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 79. Jean was born to the late Anthony and Sophia Polanski on May 4, 1925. She lived most of her life in Winnipeg, and attended King Edwards school and later St. John's Tech. Jean married the love of her life, Douglas Sparkes, on November 14, 1942. Jean is survived by her two sons, Douglas Gregory (Charlynn), Donald Ryan (Wilma); and grandchildren, Ryan, Karen Scarsbrook (Chad), Stephanie, David and Larissa. She is also survived by her sisters, Helen Kozubski, Marie Kolodziej; and brother George. Growing up, our mom must have mystified her family because she tended to be quite a free spirit, finding her own way much of the time. But she was only preparing for the years that she would be our mom to two very active and precocious sons and she excelled at this task. She did things with us and for us, delighting in the way that she often seemed to be our older sister, growing up along side of us. She enjoyed whenever we acknowledged her in that capacity. She was cool. She believed in her children, challenged her children, supported and protected her children and enjoyed the reward of great personal pride in them. This was only equaled by the pleasure that she found in the accomplishments of her five grandchildren. She did not seem to grow old until her husband, our dad, passed away. Her life in the years since was enhanced by Marlene, Joyce, Parm and many other caring staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre. Until we meet again. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m. at Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2005