Obituary of DEBBIE SMITH

It is with sadness that we announce that the Servant of God, Debbie Smith passed away peacefully at Saint Boniface Hospital on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with liver and lymphoma cancers at the age of 68.

She was born to parents John Zieminski and Jean Krysko and grew up here in Winnipeg, attending William Whyte, Gordon Bell and Aberdeen Schools.

She pursued a career in helping and caring for the elderly and vulnerable.  She worked at Holy Family and later at Central Park Nursing Homes.

Debbie was a fan of car racing – watching it with great interest on television and on a few occasions traveling south on vacations to witness it firsthand.

She also enjoyed occasionally going out for Casino trips both locally and abroad with her mother Jean.  It was more of a social gathering than anything else.

Debbie was very close to her mother, who was a both a good listener and a giver of advice. They were very close and would travel by Winnipeg Transit to the St. Norbert Farmers Market on Saturdays to spend time together, visit with the vendors and buy some fresh produce.  They both were active parishioners at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church.  After her mom’s passing – she began attending Sts. Peter & Paul Church.

Debbie was predeceased by her dad John Zieminski in 2011 and her mother Jean Krysko in March 2022.

Left to cherish her memory are her cousin Lucille (Andrew) Krashewski and her two close friends Colin & Fr. Darren, as well as her neighbours and friends at the Oakland Apartments where she lived for 20 years and fellow parishioners from Holy Eucharist and Sts. Peter & Paul churches.

Special thanks goes to the doctors and medical staff at Concordia Hospital (2 West) and St. Boniface Hospital (6 East) for their care, dedication and compassion in helping +Debbie.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 18, at 10:00 a.m. from Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 390 Marion Street.