Obituary of PHYLLIS OSTAPYK

PHYLLIS OSTAPYK On Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Health Sciences Centre Phyllis Ostapyk beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, passed away at the age of 84 years. She was dearly loved and her passing leaves an empty space in all our hearts. Phyllis is survived by her three sons and their families: Derric and Pam (Calgary); Dennis (Winnipeg) and Darryl and Cindy (Winnipeg), seven grandchildren: Desta (Toronto), Dylan (Calgary), Jeremy, Jason, Jordan, Tyler and Devan (all of Winnipeg) and three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Anthony and Molly. She also leaves to mourn her brother Harold Spalding and his wife Lenore (Pickering) and nieces Candi (Chuck) and Merridee and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1987. Mom was born in Winnipeg in 1927 and had many fond memories growing up with her brother in the North End of Winnipeg. She shared many stories with her family of skating, sledding and dances with her friends. Mom loved to have a good time. She married Bill in 1946, and moved to Ottawa where her two eldest boys were born. In 1953, she and Bill returned to Winnipeg where they spent all their remaining years. Mom worked for many years in the hospitality industry, receiving the Thurston-Dupar award from the Manitoba Restaurant Association for outstanding service before finally ending her career with Fairmont Hotels. There was rarely a day or a place you could go, where you didn’t run into one of Mom’s customers or colleagues. They were always so happy to see her, as she was to see them. She loved her work. She also took particular delight in greeting children as Mrs. Santa Clause at the hotel’s children’s Christmas party for a number of years. She also had a great number of friends, from next door neighbours of many years to her new friends at her most recent address. Mom loved to travel and had the opportunity to go to Mexico and Hawaii on many occasions. She especially enjoyed the company of her Mother and was delighted when they travelled together. Family has always been the most important thing in Mom’s life. In the early years, she enjoyed both her extended family gatherings here in Winnipeg and with Bill’s family in Ottawa. She always looked forward to visiting her brother Harold and his family in Toronto. Mom also made many happy visits to Derric and Pam’s homes when they resided in Edmonton, Toronto and Calgary. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many of them have warm memories of spending time with Grandma and having lunch at the Paddlewheel. Mom never hesitated to say how proud she was of all of her family and their accomplishments. Mom always held family occasions, when we were all gathered together, in a special place in her heart. Her special touches at Christmas dinners will long be remembered and missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St Mary’s Cathedral, 353 St Mary Avenue. A luncheon in the church hall will directly follow the service. A private family interment will follow this time of fellowship. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital.