It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy Irwin on February 26, 2020 at the age of 103. Left to cherish her memory are sons Cyril (Shirley), Ronald (Anne), Gordon (Wendy); sister-in-law Martha; grand-daughters Terry, Val (Russ), Lori (Shawn), Sheri and grandson Brent as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. As per Mum’s wishes cremation has taken place. A family interment will take place at a later date. We would like to thank the nurses, Drs. and staff at Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall for Mum’s excellent care. If friends and family so wish, donations in Dot’s memory can be made to Rosewood Lodge, Stonewall or a charity of one’s choice.

On February 8th, 2020 a truly special man left us, ending his standoff against a very rare and insidious cancer. Alan is survived by wife Judith Dedrick-Williams, children Debra-Anne, Helen (Lee) Shields, Alan Jr., grandchildren Jamila and Sam, foster son Les Taylor, siblings Terry (Mary Ellen), Penny Levacque, and Christine (Tony) Hayhurst, nieces and nephews, and special friends Roy and Lynn Norton. Alan was predeceased by parents Rod and Rita Williams. Alan had an amazing zeal for life, living it to its fullest. In the 70’s, he spent 14 months working his way across Europe, before returning to Winnipeg, becoming a zookeeper at Assiniboine Park Zoo, and marrying Judith. His life-long passion was rockhounding. In 1975, he opened The Happy Rock Shoppe. He also organized rockhounding bus trips to Montana, was Show Chairman for the Winnipeg Rock and Mineral Club shows, became an honourary member of The Rock of Ages Club, and gave talks in schools. When they moved to Teulon, Alan remained an active rockhound, operating Rockwood Gem & Gift. For 30 years he served as Site Manager of Gimli’s Icelandic Festival, and also participated in shows such as the Body, Mind and Spirit Show. Since Alan possessed a vast knowledge of crystals and gems, people came back year after year to learn from him. In later years, Alan and Judy enjoyed winter trips to Arizona, to visit friends and to attend Tucson’s Gem Shows, finding new treasures to share. Alan was a multi talented man, who designed and built homes for his family in Charleswood and on acreage, north of Teulon. He enjoyed creating unique homes. When ill health forced a move into Teulon, he found a beautiful lot and commissioned a ready to move home that would accommodate his needs. Alan had a nurturing spirit, and enjoyed working with young people, During the 90’s, he and Judith became foster parents to over 100 teenagers. They also hosted students from Hong Kong. Alan genuinely liked people, trying to help when he could. In return, friends aided him when his health failed. Thanks to Glenn Marmonier, Barbara Mankewich, Patrick Dyrda, and Ron Zinkowski for helping Judith to fulfill Alan’s wish to die at home. A heartfelt thanks to Jill Young for her compassionate attitude, and for helping in so many ways, so often. Thanks to the staff, nurses, and aides of Teulon Home Care, to Christine Skakum and Dr. Graham of Palliative Care, and to Dr. Zahiri. In accordance with Alan’s wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the causes dear to Alan: shelters for homeless people or animals – Main Street Project, Bear Clan Patrol, Sash-Mar Paws, or Gimli Humane Society. Some pursue happiness. Alan chose to create it for others. He will live on forever in so many hearts.

 

It is with profound sadness and a great sense of loss that we share the passing of our daughter, sister, Mom, partner, niece, cousin and friend Anna-Marie Evangoline Borsa Janzen. Anna drew her last breath, surrounded by love, on February 2, 2020. Anna will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her parents Tom and Phyllis Borsa, her brother Tom Borsa, her partner Kim Koswin and her fur baby Towne. Her legacy lives on in her daughter Camryn, whom Anna loved and cherished with her entire being, her heart, and her soul. Anna was born on September 27th, 1975, in Brandon, Manitoba. Subsequently, Neepawa was home for many years and it was there she excelled in school and on several sports teams. Her undeniable athleticism meant she was often chosen to be on a team before the boys were. After completing a Bachelor of Phys Ed at the University of Manitoba (while living in University College and serving as a member of Campus Security), Anna was hired by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) in 2000 where she proudly served in both front line operations and investigative units for 20 years. In 2004, Anna was part of the National Iron Cops Team, raising money to support the fight against cancer. That same year, she completed the Ironman Triathlon in Penticton B.C., where her team raised in excess of $850,000.00 for cancer research. She worked in two units comprised of both WPS and RCMP members; the Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and Project Devote (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women). She was driven to advocate for, and protect, societies most vulnerable citizens. She was equally effective as a member of the Division 16 Crime Unit and the WPS bike unit. In April of 2017 she was promoted to Patrol Sergeant where she worked as a supervisor in Division 12 Community Support Unit. Her career as a police officer offered many opportunities and challenges and she rose to each one. Her colleagues remember her as compassionate, kind, but also tenacious, driven, strong-willed, determined and persistent. The attention to detail found in her reporting set her apart from her peers. Anna loved the City of Boston, her bike, the spirit of competition, a cold Guinness, fresh flowers, pickles, a new bracelet or pair of shoes, hanging out with the girls, and a haircut from Cory. The true meaning of love, however, was defined for her by the arrival of Camryn on November 21st, 2007. From this day on she would say repeatedly it was Camy that made her heart smile. A prairie girl at heart, Anna reveled in time spent under the open skies of Saskatchewan. ‘The farm’ was home to bale tag with the cousins, slopping the pigs, tractor rides in the summer and skidooing in the winter, sleeping in the caboose, picking berries and mushrooms, a table loaded with a Christmas feast, and walking and wandering the fields of her roots. She took great delight in introducing Camryn and then Kim to the home of so many wonderful childhood memories while reliving them in the process. Those who know her well would agree that to be loved by Anna was to have her whole heart. To have her on your side would tip any balance in your favour. In November of 2017, Anna was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She received this knowledge with a grace and courage that was not only impressive but truly inspiring. To watch her navigate this journey was to see the definition of bravery in action. There was absolutely no room for anything other than hope and optimism even as she knew she was close to arriving at her final destination. The family extends its appreciation to Dr. Kim at Cancer Care Manitoba who helped Anna and her family travel a path filled with twists and turns. Thanks also to Dr. Leyland-Jones at Sioux Falls Medical Centre and Dr. Kabraji at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. We are also grateful for the support provided by the Winnipeg Police Service. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Riverview Health Centre E-Wing who treated Anna with compassion, respect and dignity. We would be remiss not to acknowledge Anna’s wide and extensive group of friends and colleagues who provided constant and never-ending support. Her eclectic ‘tribe’ of women-friends (aka ‘the girls’) has been collectively defined by silliness, laughter, and lots of adventures. To Tara B., Christina, Michelle R., Natasha, Tara C., Caroline, Stacey, Marnie, and Lindsay we thank you for the kindness, compassion, good humour, deep and abiding friendship, and unconditional love you offered Anna. Through good times and bad you’ve had Anna’s back; ‘thank you’ seems too simple a sentiment, but we do thank you deeply from the bottom of our hearts. A celebration of life will be held at Christian Springs Church, 595 Lagimodiere Blvd in Winnipeg at 1:00 pm on Saturday February 8th. Flowers are gratefully declined. A scholarship fund in Anna’s name is being planned with details forthcoming.

Edward Stefanuk passed away on January 26, 2020 at the age of 92 at Goodwin Lodge in Teulon. Ed was born on May 14, 1927 at Teulon, MB. He is survived by his wife Rita (nee Carter) of 68 years, his son Joe (Judy) Stefanuk, grandchildren Sherry (Jason) Genick, Lenore (Darcy Moore), Tammi (James Cameron) and 6 great grandchildren, Destiny & Branden Genick, Veta Moore, Tanner, Curtis & Cooper Cameron as well as nephew Joseph (Trish) Wedge & family and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was predeceased by his parents Mike & Mary (Moscall) Stefanuk and sister Phyllis (Joseph) Wedge. Ed farmed all his life in Armistice S.D. & worked part time as bartender at the Viking Hotel in Gimli and Petersfield & Teulon Hotels. Ed liked his John Deere equipment, enjoyed playing violin as well as baking bread & ginger snap cookies and having coffee with neighbours. Ed spent many hours working on his tractors alongside his son Joe who often got to hear a lot of cursing but Ed would always go out of his way to help Joe whom he loved dearly. Ed thought the world of his grandchildren and would bake with them, take them for treats and ride alongs on his tractors & just loved spending time with them and joking around. Due to ill health, he spent his last years at Goodwin Lodge. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Goodwin Lodge for the compassionate care Ed received. As per Ed’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no service. A private family interment of ashes will take place at St. Williams Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Goodwin Lodge Personal Care Home, Box 89, Teulon, MB R0C 3B0. Thank you to Ken Loehmer Funeral Services Teulon for their support during this difficult time.

On Monday, January 20, 2020 Larry Mosionier aged 72 years of Winnipeg passed away at the Health Sciences Centre due to congestive heart failure. Larry is survived by family and many friends. A service of remembrance has already taken place.

Dec. 20, 1938 – Jan. 11, 2020       A very special man peacefully passed away, surrounded by loved ones on January 11, 2020. Chris was born on December 20, 1938 to Nora and Walter Monk in East Ship Harbour, Nova Scotia. His memory will forever be cherished by his sisters, Geline, Sheila, Virgina and brothers Charles and Duncan all in Nova Scotia. At the age of eighteen he joined the Armed Forces and ended up in Manitoba with the RCHA for three years. Chris was always looking for something different and better. Well he found it. Chris and Mabel married in 1959 and he started a new career with the Pulp and Paper industry from which he never really retired. But without a doubt the most important thing in Chris’s life was his family. We will miss his stories, advice and unconditional love and will cherish the memories of him in our hearts forever. Chris’s greatest love was family and probably fishing, hunting and sitting around with the boys at the Legion. Chris will be lovingly be remembered by his wife Mabel and his chosen family, Fred, Ken, David, Gerald, Freda, Arlene and Pam and their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews and with a special mention to his nephews Jon and Trevor Norquay and niece Amanda Norquay which he held dear to his heart. On behalf of our family we extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Venter and all the nurses and staff for their caring and compassion given to Chris at the Stonewall Hospital. At Chris’s request there will be no formal funeral service at this time. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be in the Veteran’s section of the Stonewall Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Chris’s memory to Parkinson’s Canada 7 – 414 West Mount Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2J 1P2. To all, thank you for sharing our sorrow.

Following a lengthy battle with COPD, Curtis O’Dell passed away at the age of 67 years. He leaves to mourn his wife of 44 years, Brenda (nee Martin); sons Clayton (Melanie) and Jason; Grandchildren Katelyn, Declan and Lyric; sister Merilyn (Peter) and his extended family at Conviron where Curtis worked for 38 years. Thanks to Palliative Care for trying to give Curtis a better quality of life these past few months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority (Palliative Care). A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 1:00 PM. at the Royal Canadian Legion (459 Main Street) Stonewall.