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Verna Boss

Image by Nick Andréka

VERNA BOSS

June 12, 1939 – March 15, 2021

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.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Alex & Valerie Dewar

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Our condolences to the Boss family on the passing of your mother and grandmother, Verna was a sweet and kind person and will be missed. Kodo's to Carlee on a beautiful tribute

Michelle

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My deepest condolences to Ron and the whole family on the passing of your Mom and Grandma.  I am so very sorry for your loss.   Michelle Hamilton

Daniel

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My condolences to the family. We are very sorry for your loss. Daniel and Patricia Lacerda. 

Barb Dunsmore

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

such a beautiful story of her life. Condolences to you all. Hard to lose your mom. 

Lorelei Hiebert

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

My condolences to the whole family. ❤

Kim

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

A beautiful tribute to your mom ❤️ Our condolences to the Boss family.  Kim & Mike Kantyluk 

Connie and Paul krawchuk

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Our condolences to Kim and the family. She was a very interesting and pleasant lady. I also have a Hoya plant to remember her by.

Sherri

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Verna took me under her wing when I started working at Carpathia CU. She became a good friend. Our sincere condolences to the family with a special hug to Kim.  Sherri & Rick

Dave & Bev Kawchuk

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Kim, our condolences on the death of your Mom. I met her when she lived on Stadacona. Verna would lovingly talk about her family. Thank you to Carlee for sharing the richness of her grandmother’s life. There is a slip of Verna’s Hoya in out living room.  

Liz Grzebeniak

September 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM

Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with all of  the family on Vernas passing. On seeing th tribute to Verna by her granddaughter Carlee which was just excellent.  It brought back memories of  growing up with Verna and her brother Peter in Point Douglas. We were involved in all the activities at the Ukrainian hall (choir, orchestra ,dancing and youth club). Also later in life we lived near the Boss’s in East kildonan. Our hearts are reaching out to Kim,Terry, Ron and your families in sympathy and friendship.  Sincerely Li & Larry Grzebeniak❤️❤️

Linda Henderson

September 25, 2024 at 7:32 PM

Verna and I knew each other as fellow Canada/USSR Association members, and during the years she sang in our Federation of Russian Canadians Matroshka Ensemble.  Indeed we sang for the Queen together, at a gala concert held in the former Winnipeg Arena, which was televised in it's entirety.  Such wonderful memories flooded back through the remarkable pictorial review of Verna's life with her friends and family - the FRC Halloween Cabaret and concerts; as well as attending AUUC functions and fundraisers together.  Verna raised wonderful children, and was rewarded with grandchildren and even a great-grandson.  A life well lived, Verna... very well lived.  Your legacy will live on through the love and memories of the generations you have begun - children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  You will be missed.  My condolences to your family.❤
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