SOPHIE ORZECH

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SOPHIE ORZECH (Beautiful Blue Eyes) Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, store-manager, superb gladioli-grower, pie-maker, crew cook and the single-handed church Altar Society, Sophie passed away February 24, 2005 at the age of 86. Born on February 9, 1919, Sophie was the oldest child of Stephanie and Anthony Folmes and attended Jaroslaw School. She married Philip Orzech in 1939 and together they homesteaded at Drunken Point, then buying the Finns Store in 1946, which she co-managed over the years with Philip, brother-in-law Walter and son Stanley until the late 1990's. Balancing family, store, church activities, harvest-time cooking and endless duties, somehow, Sophie always found time to visit with store customers and even invite them in for a cup of coffee. Predeceased by her parents; husband Philip; son Stanley and brother Jack Folmes, Sophie is survived by her sister, Bernice Abuda (Pete); brother John Folmes (Zenneth) and daughters, Emily (Russ Ochsner) of Bellevue, Wash. and Phyllis Barnesky (Wilbert) of Winnipeg; grandchildren, Kevin and Dawn Ochsner, Colleen Kuhlman (Darren) and Wally Orzech, Angie and Darren Barnesky (Quincy) and great-grandchildren, Kyle Kuhlman and Vaughn Barnesky. Sophie has been a resident at the Arborg Personal Care Home, where she was known early on for her good nature, tri-lingualism, patience, radiant smile, blue eyes and bright colours. She was one of those one-in-10 people who are colour-coded as a Spring , who look smashing in bright colours. A special thank you is extended to the personal care staff (You are the best!) and to the personnel and doctors at the Arborg and District Hospital. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 1, viewing at 10:30 a.m. with service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Gimli with Fr. Art, Deacon Ray and Sister Cathy officiating. Fellowship coffee will immediately follow in the basement after the mass. Private interment will follow at the Finns Cemetery. Her pallbearers will be Steve Bewsky, Russell Fay, Doug Stratton, Robbi Magnusson, Albert Albertson and Paul Artyshko. Gilbart Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2005