SANDRA MARIE TOPP

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Sandra Topp (née Mauws) on November 22, 2024. Throughout her last days she was surrounded by family and friends.

Mom will lovingly be remembered by her husband of 55 years Robert “Bob” Topp; her four girls, Kim Boulet (Georges), Kerri Gates (Scott), Kristy Nicol (Ryan), and Pamala Mae Logan; her "babies" Jordan Boulet(Kailyn), Mikaela Boulet (Lucas), Dylan Nicol(Jasmyn), Chase Thomas(Tayla), Angus Nicol, Jesse Ivey, Jacob Gates, Jayden Ivey, and Abigail Gates.

She is also survived by her siblings, Marianne Campbell (Al), Gus Mauws (Barb), Mike Mauws (Darlene), Gerry Mauws; sister-in-law Norma Roziere (Norman); and numerous nieces and nephews. As well as her friends that are family, Benny and Diane; the Girardins; and her besties, Rita and Jackie.

Mom's greatest love was her family. She loved getting together for holidays, the annual Mauws family reunion, bien tournaments, or just because. She loved to watch her grandchildren do absolutely anything and looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her "girls."

Mom loved to dance, drink coffee, walk, sweets, watch Y&R, clean, flowers, shoes, cooking or baking for others, playing bingo, slots and family getaways. But mostly she loved to help people. She was generous with her time and energy, she always saw the good in people, especially those who were struggling.

Mom was born in Swan Lake Manitoba and lived on a small farm outside of town. She told many stories of farm life that included her siblings, milking the cows, and the chickens. She went on to graduate from St. Boniface nursing school as an LPN initially working at Swan Lake hospital and then in Winnipeg at St. Boniface hospital. Once her girls arrived mom stayed home to raise her kids and was an in-home daycare provider for many years. Once us girls were in high school, mom started what would be her favourite career as an educational assistant at St. Norbert Collegiate. It was there that mom began working with Bruce North in a program called GROW, this program was moms calling and she loved the kids and everything it encompassed.

Mom loved celebrations, her birthday in particular. She was born on October 12, 1948 and truly thought her birthday should be a nationally recognized holiday (which it often was because it often fell on Thanksgiving Day.) She loved presents, birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, "just because" presents, any and all, she loved them.

Mom loved her siblings. As the oldest in the family and having lost both of her parents at a young age, mom took the job of keeping the family together very seriously. She was the matriarch of the family. She was much loved by her siblings, their partners and their kids. This devotion also included all of Bob's family. This was very apparent in moms last days when the hallway of her care home was lined with people who adored her. She will always be missed.

Mom took most seriously her job of being a MOM, and she was very successful at it. The pain of losing her is so overwhelming but she would want us to carry on, to keep the traditions alive, take care of her "babies" and keep her precious family together.

There are many people to thank for the love and support and the ways they helped as mom battled to fight dementia (and she battled, despite many obstacles being thrown in her way.) We can't mention them all but a few need to be recognized in this format (and the rest I hope we told you,if we didn't Thank You.) To the Nicols, Kristy, Ryan, Dylan and Angus, for taking mom into your home the last two years of her living in the community. We know it was challenging and we appreciate the sacrifices you made daily. Angus, you were grandma's guy at the end, she just thought the world of you. Mike and Darlene, your frequent visits were invaluable. Erin Girardin, just knowing mom was in your vicinity helped when she moved into Southeast and for all you did to make her last days as easy on all of us as possible all while making sure she looked pretty. You are the best and Auntie was so proud of you.

To the staff at Southeast Personal care home, especially mom's favourite guy, Brett, there are no words. Miigwech. 

A Celebration of Sandra's Life will take place at 1:30pm on Friday, November. 29, 2024 at the St. Norbert Community Centre, 3450 Pembina Highway.

Sandra’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.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​