Mabel passed away at the Grandview Personal Care home in Grandview, Manitoba on May 28, 2018.

 

Mabel is survived by her son, Ronald (Christine); grandchildren Matthew (Ariel) and Risa; as well as sisters Margaret (Larry) Sawicki, and Lena Coad.

 

Mabel is pre-deceased by her parents Michael and Mary; brothers Walter, John, Stan, Joe, Phillip, Kaczmir and sister Rose.

 

Mabel was born Mabel Plewak on June 28th, 1930 the oldest daughter of parents Michael and Mary Plewak. She grew up on the family farm, and as many people at that time, endured hard farm life and was expected to look after her younger siblings. This was probably the time when she developed her nurturing skills in becoming a natural caregiver.

 

As a young girl growing up in the 1930’s & 40’s, Mabel enjoyed her life on the farm, learning how to garden, herd cattle, milk cows, raise chickens, etc., and, of course, do chores. She enjoyed being busy and did not like to sit around.

 

Mabel married in 1950 and a few years later, I happened to come along. I will always remember that she was a very kind and caring mother…spoiling me yet strict enough to make sure I kept out of trouble (well, for the most part)!

 

Mabel also enjoyed having family come to visit at the farm. There were many visits with her sister Lena and her family, coming out to see “Baba & Auntie

Mabel” to experience “farm life” and do a little fishing nearby. Her sister Martha and husband Larry would drop by to visit on their vacations to do some interesting fishing and the odd little reno project. (You’ll have to ask Martha how she landed those fish!)

 

Later, when I left home, she continued to take care of her mother and brother Phillip. Around this time, the family moved into town and she started working

with Home Care in Elphinstone, absolutely loving her job…talking with seniors (in Ukrainian no less) and helping to clean and tidy their houses. She was so happy helping other people.

 

She was also very happy once she became a grandmother and enjoyed watching my son and daughter as they grew up. She would always slip them a little money when we visited…”to help out”, she’d say. She was always overgenerous when it came to family.

 

As the years went by and her mother and brother passed, she began to look in on her brother Walter, who moved into town and lived close by. She took care of him, cooking meals, washing clothes, putting in his garden…not because she was obligated, but she had a desire to provide care and comfort to someone. When Walter passed in 2005, it was the first time in her life when she actually had time to think about herself. She enjoyed doing the things she liked (cooking, gardening, walking to the post office, the Groceteria, attending Church) all on her

own time, not wanting to be a bother to anyone.

 

And, throughout her life, Mabel was a devoted religious and spiritual person. She loved to attend church services, prayed often and faithfully said her rosary. In Elphinstone, she took care of the church cemetery, always making sure the grass was cut and everything looked perfect. She worked very hard, using only push lawnmowers where today, riding mowers are used. She was no stranger to hard work. As the years passed, she became unable to tend to the cemetery. It was then when she bought a little red scooter to zip her around town to do her errands and still remain independent.

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In 2015, she had a fall “incident” that landed her in the hospital. She was quite weak from infections but managed to bounce-back, but not enough to live on her own. For the first time in her life, she was the one that needed a little help. She entered the Grandview Personal Care home and within a short period of time, became one of their most-adored residents. She never complained (even about the food), complied with the staff and always wanted to help out wherever she could. She enjoyed making pies & perogis for fund raisers, shelling peas or folding towels. She loved to keep busy, even if it was from her wheelchair. For entertainment, she especially liked to play Bingo and card games.

 

She also cherished the time spent with her sister-in-law Audrey and her extended family. She always asked about what Finley, Decklin and Kinsley were up to and took an interest in their activities. And, not to mention, she attended every church service they held in the Care Home…never missing an opportunity

to be nearer to God.

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Recently, she had another infection that led to organ failure and she passed quietly last Monday morning.

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The staff adored her and (as I was leaving the care home the next day) they actually gathered to give her a “standing ovation”, most with tears in their eyes,

uttering words such as “kind soul” and “gentle person”.

 

I wish that she could have been with us for a few more years. She had so much knowledge about the earlier history of our family and had an uncanny ability to remember dates of birthdays and anniversaries. My Aunt Martha told me that she lived her life as a “perpetual caregiver” and I am very proud to have had this gentle, kind soul as my mother.

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Rest Pain-Free, in Peace, Mom. You will always remain in our hearts.

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We love you.

-Ron Nakonechny

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A service will be held at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Elphinstone, MB at 2:00 PM on June 2, 2018.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.