VERNA JACOBSON (VERA VERBENSKE)

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VERNA JACOBSON (nee VERA VERBENSKE) September 27, 1926 - April 13, 2005 Peacefully in her sleep at Holy Family Nursing Home early in the morning of April 13, 2005. She is survived by her son Ernie and daughters, Carol (husband Roger) and Shirley (husband Darren); grandchildren, Faith, Jasmine, Elliott, and Shania; great-grandchild Grace. Predeceased by her husband Gordon and grandson James. Verna was born in Regina, SK, and grew up in rural Saskatchewan on a farm. She started working on a well-to-do farm, taking care of housework and helping with the couple's children. She moved to Winnipeg and worked in a factory producing ponchos for The Second World War. She worked at the old Regal Drugstore (opposite the old Royal Alexandra Hotel) in the restaurant for years and liked to fool around by pretending not to know Ukrainian. But! She was discovered one day when she had orders already prepared for performers of the old Moscow Circus before their English interpreter had a chance to place the translated order. She travelled to England, Scotland, France, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Slovakia with her daughter Carol. She spent years doing domestic work, child care, and some commercial cooking. Some of her recipes where only shared with close family members. She only needed the weakest of excuses to do cooking for people or charities. Sometimes her cooking was so good others would try to pass Verna's cooking off as their own. The neighbourhood children would knock on her door to see what cookies she was baking or had on hand. They always came back looking for more and they never went away empty handed. She would seldom complain even with great physical pain and/or discomfort and never wanted to be a bother to anyone. She did so much for others and asked for so little in return. According to Verna's wishes there will be no funeral service, but a graveside service at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main St., West St. Paul, April 20 at 12:30 p.m. A brief reception will be held afterwards. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Holy Family Nursing Home, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or CancerCare Manitoba. Many thanks to the Holy Family Nursing Home and to Diana who made sure she was usually up for her calls from England. Further details about arrangements please contact Ernie through Cropo Funeral Chapel. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2005