August 17, 1924 – July 29, 2019
Peacefully in the morning of July 29, 2019, Mom passed on to join her beloved family and her Lord.
Left to remember her and forever cherish her memory are son John (Vera Kostyshyn); daughters Jeanine Wall (Kieron) and Jennifer Hanel (Tom); as well as grandchildren Emily and Roman Nicholson and Devon and Kurt Hanel.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on August 17, 1924. She grew up and attended school in East Kildonan. Mom’s favourite activities included curling and canoeing with the Winnipeg Canoe Club.
Her great love in life was music and she practiced the piano daily to realize her dream of becoming a Registered Music Teacher and working with children. Her teaching career began at the age of 15 and ended with her retirement at the age of 65. At the end of each year, Mom held a recital and one of the highlights of her final year was her playing a trio with daughters Jeanine and Jennifer.
Mom loved dogs and we spent many happy years with our boxer and, later, two pugs.
A very important part of Mom’s life was her membership and the many friendships she developed at Kildonan Community Church. These faithful friends continued to visit and send greetings to Mom as her health declined.
Mom and her dear sister Edna had a cottage at Grand Beach and the two worked summers at the Grand Beach Pavilion during the heady days of the 1940s. In 1952, Mom and Edna purchased a lakefront cottage at West Hawk Lake. For 66 years, four generations enjoyed vacations on beautiful Penniac Bay.
One summer, Mom approached a handsome young entrepreneur to ask about a job. He was John (“Jack”) Nicholson, builder and proprietor of Jack’s café. He hired Mom and she became his wife. Mom and Dad operated the Post Office, dance hall and movie theatre for many years until the property was sold in the mid-1960s. Many people still remember Mom and Dad, some couples having met at Jack’s. “Jack’s” is now known as the Nite Hawk Café.
Mom enjoyed knitting, gardening and travel, and at the young age of 82, gamely tried boogie boarding in Mexico with her 90-year-old friend, Nellie Hanel.
Mom eventually moved to the Irene Baron Eden Centre Supportive Living residence and, later, Meadowood Personal Care Home where she received excellent care. Sincerest thanks to the staff of both homes.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2373 Kildonan Community Church on Main Street on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
At Mom’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mom’s memory to the Manitoba Lung Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or The Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg.
