SOPHIE SCHAITEL

Surrounded by her family and so much love, Sophie passed away peacefully on December 21,2022 after a long and happy life.
 

Our dear Mom and Nana will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Debbie (Kelly), son David (Jenny), and their father Darryl, grandsons Graham (Sydney) and Cade, grandson-in-law Chris, great grandchildren Austyn, Christopher, Ethan, Rowan, and Brooke, sister-in-law Helen, numerous nieces and nephews, the O’Bray family, dear friend Debbie Vokey (Mark), and the staff and residents at Thorvaldson Care Center. She was predeceased by her parents, siblings, and granddaughter Breanne in April 2021.

Mom was born in Springfield, MB and was raised on the family farm just outside of Dugald. The 5th of 6 children, she had a happy childhood, enjoying many adventures with her brothers and sisters. One of her favorite childhood stories involves a fateful day when she unwisely chose to wear her brand-new black patent shoes through a muddy field to bring the cows home; earning her a spanking and extra chores. Mom’s propensity to live by her own rules, and her love of shoes, continued throughout her life.

Mom began her career at Manitoba Telephone System as an operator. During the 1950 flood, as the waters rose, she stayed behind to keep the community connected. She was both surprised and proud to be formally recognized for her bravery. She continued to work part time at MTS for many years, prioritizing family over career.

Mom adored children, and her kids were always her top priority – at least until the grandkids and great-grandkids came along. With the arrival of Bre, Graham, and Cade mom had a new generation to dote on; and dote she did. As a great-grandma, she was a constant presence in her great-grandsons lives, attending basketballs games, Christmas concerts, and high school graduations. She was almost 90 when her great-granddaughters arrived, but that didn’t stop her from getting down on the floor to play with toys or read books to her precious little girls. She considered her tight knit, four generation family, one of the great blessings in her life.

Over the years mom pursued many interests including five pin bowling and playing the accordion. She took up golf in her 50’s and continued to play into her 70’s. She loved to travel, visiting Hawaii several times, as well Fiji, Australia, France, Monaco, and Italy. Her favorite place was Las Vegas. In her later years, as a resident of Thorvaldson Care Center, she took-up jigsaw and crossword puzzles, as well as trivia. Mom was fiercely competitive and chose her trivia partners carefully – she played to win!

Mischievous and quick to laugh, Mom attributed her longevity to good genes, a healthy diet, and not taking herself too seriously. Hers was a life well and thoroughly lived.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.

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Sohpie's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of 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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