RENA DUECK

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RENA DUECK Did you ever know That you're my hero You're everything I would like to be. I can fly higher Than an eagle Cause you are The wind beneath my wings. On February 26, 2005, upon completion of 89 years as our family's gardener, cook, nurse, teacher, comedienne, and biggest fan, we lost our hero, Rena Dueck. Onarena DePiero was born on February 27, 1916 in Cordenons, Italy to Valentine and Erminia DePiero. In April, 1922 the family arrived in Canada and settled outside of Fort Frances, ON. Rena married David Dueck in 1940 but was a truly liberated woman long before it became fashionable. During the Second World War, when many of the men were off to war, she took on the role of ambulance driver and town taxi driver. She was always determined to do whatever she could to be helpful throughout her life and when her nephew was stricken with Polio during the epidemic, she accompanied him to Winnipeg, became a nurse and remained to help in the fight. For many years thereafter, she worked as a nurse in Dr. Keenburg's office in the Boyd Building. In the late 60s, she ran Dueck's Grocery in West Kildonan. After that, she ran the canteen at Transit's North Garage where made many lifelong friends. Rena enjoyed travelling, and with her companion Ed travelled throughout the United States - including Hawaii and Alaska, Mexico, Europe and the Far East. Rena's fierce devotion and passion for her family was evident to anyone who knew her. She would race home to Fort Frances on a moments notice if she was needed and was always here for us. Her greatest joys were the birth of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were the centre of her life after retirement. Our lives would not have been the same if it weren't for her drive, sense of duty, sense of humour and love. Rena was predeceased by her parents; siblings, Antonio and Virginia in infancy, Luigi, Alvira Toots ; and longtime companion Ed Dixon. She leaves to celebrate all that she was and made us to be, her daughter Elsie Wheeler; grand-children, Cher (Pat Hebert) and Ron (Karen); great-grandchildren, Nick Young, Shane and Danielle Hebert; her sister Mary Ducharme; nephews, Paul, Ray and families; and honorary granddaughter Cindy Hessian (Tom, Brett and Eric). Memorial service will be held at Knysh Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St. on Thursday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. Rena loved gardening and flowers. It would be a fitting tribute to surround her with the people and things that she loved. KNYSH FUNERAL CHAPEL 1020 MAIN STREET582-0973

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2005