Jennie Grechen

Obituary

Passed on

It is with profound sadness that the family of Jennie Grechen (nee Baley) of Teulon, Manitoba, announce that Jennie’s long and happy time on this Earth has come to a peaceful end on January 6, 2018, at the age of 98. Jennie was a loving mother, baba, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born in Teulon, Manitoba, on November 20, 1919. In 1947, she married William (Bill) Grechen, and they built a life together on the family farm in the Dundas region outside of Teulon, where they lived until after Bill’s passing in 1996. Jennie leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters Mitzi (Steven) Maksymyk and Luci Grechen (Garry Sinnock); her grandchildren Gretchen Maksymyk, Steven Maksymyk (Anna Chan) and Katrina Maksymyk (David Lane); and her sister Marion (Stan) Smerchanski, as well as many nieces and nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. Jennie is predeceased by her parents Stephan and Nettie Baley; her sisters Anne (Fred) Kwasny, Mary (Merle) McCollough, and Lena (Joe) Sanek; her brothers William (Julie) Baley and Harry (Addie) Bailey; her in-laws, Alexander and Millie Grechen and her sister-in-law Christine (Bruce) Slipetz. Jennie loved school from the very first day and was inspired to become a teacher from a very early age. She was an attentive and accomplished student who graduated from Teulon high school before taking her teacher’s training at Normal School in 1941-42. She held a number of teaching positions throughout the Interlake during her early twenties, including Fisher Branch, Norwood School in Petersfield, Wheathill School in Chatfield, and Dundas School in Teulon. Jennie taught in Teulon for over 35 years and retired in 1978. Working on the family farm, teaching full-time, and raising a family made for a busy but fulfilling life. Jennie believed in hard work and education and, despite her heavy workload, she continued to take university courses throughout her career. But life was not just work; Jennie and Bill enjoyed camping and fishing outings with their girls and, later in life, they escaped to warm and carefree places like Hawaii and Cuba and cruised throughout the Caribbean. Jennie also believed in community and often volunteered to help out with such things as the music festival, church teas and charitable events. She enjoyed visiting with family, neighbours, and friends and seeing her old Normal School chums at their reunions. Jennie especially loved being a TART – a member of the Teulon Association of Retired Teachers. She also loved baseball as a girl, and her trademark crooked pointer finger was a result of a baseball accident in her youth. Jennie was passionate about many issues: politics, the environment, Teulon’s hospital and the health care system, and the world in which we all live. She consistently urged each and every one of us to fight for what is right and to work toward the greater good. Her passion, determination, independence, and the glimpses of devilishness she would sometimes let us see, will be profoundly missed. As per Jennie’s wishes, a cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Teulon United Church or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to express their appreciation to the medical staff at the Grace Hospital for their compassion and care.

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