Pauline Bartosh

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of our dearest mother and Baba at the Concordia Hospital on July 20, 2022.

Mom will join our father/Gigi (Walter) who passed away on January 27, 2022.  She will be deeply missed by her daughters Debbie (Roger), Susan (Denis) and special grandchildren Brenden and Chelsea.  Pauline also leaves behind her sisters Jean and Helen (Winnipeg) and brother John (Vancouver) along with numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Tekla, brothers Basil, Charlie and Stanley.  Sisters Anne, Julie, Mary, Dorothy and Cathy.

Mom was the 10^th of 12 children and lived on the family farm in Meleb, Manitoba.  She came to Winnipeg after finishing school and lived with her aunt and then with her sister Anne and family.  Pauline’s first job was at a drug store followed by many years with T. Eaton Co, which during this time she played baseball on the company team as the back catcher.  Mom then got her licence in hairdressing and I must say she always had her hair just perfect.   After leaving the hair business her work careers were followed by Burns Foods, Royal Bank, Inter-City Gas and retiring from Inter-Graphics.

One of mom’s greatest pleasures in retirement was to babysit her grandson, Brenden and granddaughter, Chelsea with the help of our father.  From the walks to the park, going for ice cream and harvesting vegetables from the garden each day was an adventure.

Back in the 50’s Pauline enjoyed simple entertainment like going to the movies and dances with family and friends, this is where she met our dad.  It didn’t take long to know Walter was the one and they married on April 28, 1956.  Soon after they were blessed with their first daughter, Debbie and 8 years later their daughter, Susan.  Mom and dad initially lived in West Kildonan but soon after having Debbie moved to Transcona.  While living there, mom and dad enjoyed doing things in the community such as bingo, curling and 5 pin bowling.  Mom loved playing Bingo along with her sisters and neighbours in Transcona.

Mom will be remembered for her sewing, cooking, canning, crocheting & knitting.  We will all remember the beautiful outfits she made for herself and her girls.  For those of you who were lucky enough to be gifted with a set of mom’s famous crocheted slippers or afghan, you know that each peace was made with love.  Mom loved canning season and would make pickles, fruits and jams, pears being her favourite.

Mom was an excellent cook (thanks to her mother and older sisters) and was proud to pass this on to her daughters and grandchildren.  There were many recipes she shared with us but only Baba had that special touch to make it taste like Baba’s recipe.  After all was said and done, mom always had time to play a quick game of cards.

Going to visit Baba and Gigi Wilchuk on the farm was a weekend tradition with many of mom’s family, but in 1977 mom and dad decided to purchase a cottage at Hillside Beach.  It was a simple request by their neighbour to come out for a visit, before they knew it, they bought their own place.  Mom and dad enjoyed many years with the Clement family – working hard during the day, going for long walks after supper and bonfires to follow.  After retirement they made Hillside Beach their permanent residence.  As mom and dad entered the later years of retirement, they knew that living at the lake was getting harder for them.  It was at this point that they decided to move back to Winnipeg.

Thank you to family who had the opportunity to visit mom in the hospital, and to the staff at the Concordia N1 North for the care and compassion shown to our mother for her short time there. Cremation has taken place; a private family service will be held at a later date.  Voyage Funeral Home in care of arrangements.  Donations can be made to the Lung Association or charity of your choice.

Mom, we love you to the moon and back.  We will miss you dearly but we know you’re at peace with dad.