BERNICE MARGARETT WELICHKA (CHMARA)

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BERNICE MARGARETT WELICHKA (nee CHMARA) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on Saturday, July 2, 2005. She passed away peacefully at the St. Boniface General Hospital with her daughter Debbie and son-in-law Brad by her side. Bernice will be forever remembered and sadly missed by her husband John; her children, Valerie Koss (Bruce), Randy Spelchak (Susan), Karen Podolsky and Debbie Spelchak (Brad Pretula); grandchildren, Cory and Devon Koss, Bryan Spelchak, Maxcine and Matthew Podolsky; great-grandchildren, Tristan, Samantha and Dylan. She is survived by her only sister Nell Bayrak and several nieces and nephews. Bernice was predeceased by her parents, Anna (1982) and John (1983) Chmara. Our mother was born on March 29, 1933 in Winnipeg. She grew up on her parents' farm in East Kildonan and remained in the area her entire life raising her four children. Mom's love for gardening began at an early age as she spent numerous hours on the farm or working at the farmer's market. Our mother was an amazing woman, strong, courageous and determined to raise her children on her own, despite her difficult circumstances. In 1972, mom went to work as a Swiss Embroidery seamstress at JD Enterprises. She later worked at All Canadian Emblem until her retirement at the age of 67. In 1980, she married John and together they shared 25 wonderful years. Bernice was a devoted, loving wife and mother who took great pleasure in the simple things in life: family, friends, cooking, crocheting, gardening and attending church at St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Everyone was welcome in her home and no one ever left hungry. Mom was a kind and loving woman who always put the needs of others before her own. She was devoted to her family and could always be counted on for a helping hand or a sympathetic ear. We love you mom/nanny and are grateful for all the love and care you have given to us. You will be forever loved, remembered and sadly missed. In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away, You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting, Until the very end. God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around you, And whispered, Come to Me . So when we saw you sleeping So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back, To suffer that again. You didn't deserve what you went through, So He took you home to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, For He only takes the best. The family would like to thank the Palliative Care doctors at St. Boniface Hospital and the nursing staff on E5 for making our mother's last days easier. Prayers will be said on Wednesday, July 6, at 8:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2:00 p.m. also at Cropo Funeral Chapel with Very Rev. John A. Melnyk officiating. Interment will follow in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made in Bernice's memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT Eternal Memory CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2005