Obituary of VICTORIA NORMA SYGANIEC

Victoria Norma Syganiec (1944 – 2025)

Victoria Norma Syganiec, at the age of 81 years, has passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer.  She passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on September 28, 2025 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, MB.

Victoria (Vicky) was born on May 16, 1944, in Portage la Prairie, MB.  She was the eldest child of Joseph and Norma (Paul) Syganiec and was raised on the family farm in the area around Cooks Creek, MB. 

She was predeceased by her parents and a younger brother, Barry.  Three grandchildren also predeceased her.

Vicky is survived by her long-time companion, Roger Braithwaite.  Roger was very supportive and by Vicky’s side throughout her cancer treatments, and during her stay in palliative care.

Vicky is survived by her children: Keith (Valerie) Mantik, Ken Mantik (Dawn Wiens), Kelvin Mantik (Tammy Scott), Kelly Mantik (Kriss Turcott), and Krysta (Wilkinson) Giles.  Vicky was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Vicky is also survived by seven siblings: Allan (Teresa) Syganiec, Wayne (Carol) Syganiec, Barbara (Syganiec) Noftall, Victor (Jeannine) Syganiec, Karen (Syganiec) (Jack) Moroz, Kevin Syganiec and Tim Syganiec. Being part of a big family, there are many nieces and nephews who also survive.

Mom went to school in Birds Hill and her first employment was at Pine Ridge Golf Course.  She worked in several establishments in her younger years, with her last career being with Canadian Linen in Winnipeg for over forty years. She was a very hard worker and finally retired at the age of 72 years.

Mom had a variety of interests over the years.  Listening to music and dancing was a life-long passion.  She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, camping and fishing.  Her kids remember her going to visit her parents at the family home – working with her Dad in the garden and then helping her Mom in the kitchen.

Vicky’s family remember her as being a fantastic cook, and that she loved to bake and make desserts as well.  There are many memories of Mom doing her early baking for the holiday seasons.  With older (and growing) sons in the house, she turned to locking up her baking in a freezer – to make sure there were goodies available for family gatherings.  Boys being boys, they quickly figured out how to break into the freezer and help themselves to the delicious treats inside.  But Mom always acted surprised by the number of treats missing when it was time to put them out.

Vicky’s children have many memories of their Mom being an avid card game player.  Some have speculated that Mom may have had more than “luck” on her side (when it was to her advantage) in these card games.

Vicky’s older sons remember her going to Bingo to try her luck.  She promised them that if she won at Bingo, she would bring them a treat.  The boys have memories of being woken up when their Mom came home - with a bucket of KFC chicken and a jug of root beer.  Krysta, being younger than her brothers, remembers her Mom enjoying Keno as her game of choice.  And she remembers that her Mom kept up the tradition of a winning night treat, by bringing her something from Macdonald’s.

In the latter years of her life, Mom became an avid sports enthusiast, and her favourite teams to support were the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets, and the Toronto Blue Jays.  If someone stopped by to visit her home, there was usually a game of some kind playing on the television.

Mom’s generous and kind spirt will be missed by all.

Those we Love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day

…. unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Vicky Syganiec’s family is grateful to the health care professionals that cared for her during the years of her cancer treatments.  Also a Thank You and appreciation to the doctors and care staff at the Palliative Care Ward (3E) at Riverview Health Centre.

A Celebration of Life to honour Victoria Syganiec will be held on Tuesday October 7 at 10:00 am at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, located at 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB. Cremation will have taken place.  A reception at Cropo will follow the service, with interment of ashes concluding this event at 1:00 pm at the St. Michael’s New Roman Catholic Cemetery, located at Cooks Creek, MB.