LEONA MALVINA MARIE GROSSMAN

Peacefully on February 4th, 2023, with her family by her side, Leona Grossman was called home to be with our Heavenly Father.

Leona is predeceased by her son Brian, her ex-husband Ed Cheys, her parents John and Jeanette Grossman, and siblings John, Irene, Rose Marie. As fate would have it, her sister Betty Ann passed away a number of hours after Lee, making their heavenly journey together. Leona, or Lee as she was often called, is survived by her brothers Jerry and Arthur (Claudette); her son Raymond (Denise), grandchildren Amanda (Joel) and Lyndon (Kaitlyn); her daughter Kathy (Dave); her son David (Karen), grandchildren Brittany, Haley and Addison; her daughter-in-law Bev, grandson Geoff (Meaghann), great grandson Archie; grandson Michael (Meagan), great grandchildren Olivia, Kalea, and Helaina; grandson Matt (Vicki), great grandchildren Conrad, Zoe, and Oliver; granddaughter Jen (Brent); her life long friend of over 60 years, Gerty Krishka; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that Lee made throughout her life.

Lee was born in Prairie Grove, Manitoba and grew up on the family farm in Lorette. After moving to Winnipeg and working for several years, Lee married Ed Cheys in 1957 and started their family shortly thereafter.

Family was everything to Lee. She had a very deep love for her children, grandchildren, and great grand children. Mom always kept meticulous records and notes to make sure she never forgot any birthdays, anniversaries, or family events. She always made every effort to make sure the person received either a card or a phone call. Her cards always came with beautiful thoughts, words of kindness, warmth, love, friendship, and support. Lee raised her family in the Windsor Park area. She was a wonderful cook and loved making family dinners. Sunday dinners with the family was special to her and we often enjoyed one of the family favorites, spaghetti. There were many fond memories of the great times spent around the dinner table.

Gerty and mom met when they both lived on Bertrand Street in St. Boniface in the early 1960’s. A wonderful friendship of over 60 years was formed as they raised their families together, and their bond grew deeper over their mutual faith and spirituality. Our two families shared many fond memories growing up together. We went camping, fishing, rented cottages, went on day trips to the beach or we simply went to the park for the day. Thank you so very much Gerty for always being there for our mom, and for your love and support to our family throughout Lee’s life, and especially in her final days.

Lee had a passion and great talent for many forms of art, and she was an exceptional painter. Her oil paintings were award winning and featured in art shows. Each one was an expression of her inner self.

Lee blossomed as an artist and began to explore other forms of art including watercolors, sculpting, photography, and rock painting. Her painted rocks became very popular with family and friends, and everyone was always happy to receive one of Grandma’s painted rocks. They were often themed or tailored to the individual receiving the rock. They were truly magnificent and made with so much love and attention to detail. Her rocks were all hand selected. The ones she would carefully select were ones where she would either see an image or a theme or just an inspiration that came to mind. It was fun to go rock picking to look for those special rocks with different or unique shapes or features. When mom was not able to go picking herself and look for the special ones, she was glad to go through the ones we’d bring her. Each painted rock came with her special warm and loving words from her heart.

Lee was a true nature lover and loved being outside. She loved all kind of animals with some of her favorites being cats, tigers, elephants, birds, and wolves. She also loved her plants and had all kinds of plants in her apartment, which included flowering plants, prayer plants, and African violets. She would even grow tomatoes on her balcony. She often spoke to her plants and honestly believed that they listened to her. Each family member received one of her plants, so we can continue to grow them and to have a living memory of her in our homes.

Lee was especially fond of trees and as a young child could be found climbing or even hugging trees. She said trees made her feel connected to herself and nature. Because of her love of trees, a tree will be planted in her memory at the Treeternity Memorial Forest, which is southwest of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Lee’s tree will be planted near her son Brian’s tree. Thank you, Bev, for your kindness and generosity planting a tree for mom.

Mom was so many things to us, loving, caring, compassionate, loyal, understanding, and so much more than words can express. Mom was deeply spiritual, and she made a lasting memory on anybody that came into her life. She always tried to be positive and provide comfort to others. This was a true testament to her faith, and nurturing nature. She always believed the strength of spirit was leading and guiding her.

Mom, you will be missed by so many, and you have left us with so many memories we will cherish for all eternity. We will always remember you as having loved us all so deeply.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be to a charity of one’s choice in memory of Lee.

A celebration of Lee’s life will take place on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd, followed by an internment, and a luncheon, where we will continue to celebrate Lee’s life and share our memories.

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Leona's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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