With heavy hearts, we announce that Verna passed away on March 15, 2021 in Holy Family Home at the age of 81 years.

 

Verna will be deeply missed by her daughter Kim; sons, Terry (Chris) and Ron; and grandchildren, Jamey (Lexie), Robyn (Jean), Trevor (Hailee), Carlee (Jordan), and Raeleigh.  She just recently met her great-grandson Benjamin before her passing.

 

Verna was born on June 12, 1939 to Anthony and Mary Garnick in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  She grew up with her older brother Peter in the Point Douglas area.  As a young girl she participated in Ukrainian dance, sang in Ukrainian choirs and played the mandolin at the Point Douglas Labour Temple on Euclid and the Ukrainian Labour Temple on Pritchard..

 

She attended Tec-Voc High School and played percussion in the marching band.  Verna had a strong alto voice and had lead roles in many Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas as well.

 

Verna married Ed Boss in May of 1960.  They had three children, Kim, Terry and Ron.  As a young family there were many trips across Canada as far East as Toronto, West to Vancouver and North to Flin Flon.  Many weekends camping around Manitoba as well.  In 1978 a trip to Disneyland was enjoyed by all.

 

Verna was always involved with her children’s interests.  She would sew costumes for Kim’s baton and tap concerts, watch Terry play hockey or watch Ron perform in high school musical productions...always supported whatever they endeavoured in!  That also continued with her grandchildren in whatever they pursued. She also volunteered at the canteen at both Oriole’s and Morse Place Community Clubs.

 

Along with her dad, Verna travelled to Ukraine twice.  There she was able to meet her family for the first time. It was a wonderful adventure for her.

 

After her children were grown Verna started working at Carpathia Credit Union at both the Main Street and McPhillips Street branches.  She then worked at Assiniboine Credit Union.  She made many good friends at both.

 

Her love of singing continued as she was part of the Druzhba Folk Choir at the Ukrainian Labour Temple and performed in many concerts and during Folklorama at the Lviv Pavillion.  In 1984, Verna performed for the Queen as part of the FRC Matroshka Women’s Ensemble.  This was one of her highlights of performing.

 

Verna was very involved in the Canada/USSR Association as a member and part of the executive.  She made many friends there.

 

Verna loved musicals with her favourites being Fiddler on the Roof and Les Misérables.  She attended Rainbow Stage many many times!

 

Folklorama was something Verna loved and visited many pavilions with her family and then volunteered at the Lviv Pavilion.  She helped with the Pysanka booth teaching many children and adults the fine art of making Ukrainian Easter eggs.

 

Always an animal lover she had many pets over the years.  Verna loved all of them – Moochie, Jake, Smudge, Bonnie and Clyde!

 

Some of her favourite things to do was to go on day trips to Gimli, going to garage sales and thrift stores, baking, and gathering with her family.  She always said she couldn’t cook but she made the best holuptsi in the world!

 

Verna was a fighter and beat breast cancer twice. 

 

The family would like to thank the staff at Holy Family Nursing home for their compassion and care they provided to Verna and her family.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation or to any animal shelter of your choice in her name.

 

Verna’s family kindly requests that her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by visiting her tribute page at EthicalDeathCare.com. A photo-biography, as well as memories and stories published by those who knew her, are available there

 

A small celebration of their life will be held at a future date with no specific details known at this time.  No formal service will be held at this time.