OLLIE MAKSYMOWICZ

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OLLIE MAKSYMOWICZ Peacefully, after a lengthy illness, it is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of my mother, Ollie Maksymowicz, on Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at the Health Sciences Centre, at the age of 78 years. Remaining to cherish her memory are her only son Jonathon; brothers, Bill and John; and sister Jane; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and very close friends. Ollie was predeceased by her parents, Marianna and Gregory; brothers, Stanley and Michael; and sisters, Anne, Mary, Helen and Katherine. Ollie and myself would like to thank all the staff at the Health Sciences Centre, Deer Lodge Centre and home care, who helped and cared for Mom over the years. The compassion and respect that you have shown Mom is sincerely appreciated. A private family funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik's All Beliefs and Faiths Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Ave. at Sharp Boulevard. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Ollie's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Whether working as a cook or a childcare worker, from mending clothes to tending the garden patch, raising her son and taking care of Baba, those who knew Ollie when she still had her health, would remember a vibrant woman with a zeal for life. No wonder that the onset of her protracted illness came as such a surprise. Still, Ollie was determined to live her life to the fullest even as her physical strength slowly drained away from her. She truly did become special to those that knew and met her through these years. Of late, however, Ollie was growing tired of the ceaseless struggle and when she decided this isn't living, just existing , she accepted death with quiet courage and the simple knowledge that finally, she was going Home. Mom never had an easy time of it, but her life was not about getting and keeping, but of giving and sharing. Never a woman of extravagance or airs, she was blessed with an abundance of love and kindness she freely bestowed without expectation or condition. It is Mom's spirit, humanity and grace that is my real inheritance and the legacy she leaves those she touched. Goodbye, Mom. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 17, 2005