Obituary of Johana KVARTICH

JOHANA (IVANKA) KVARTICH Our family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother, Johana (Ivanka) Kvartich on December 25th, 2009 at Concordia Hospital. Ivanka was predeceased in 1997 by her husband Ivan Kvartich and son-in-law Emil Mohoric, who also died on Christmas Day, 2007. She will be greatly missed by her beloved daughters Vladka, Erna (Stan), Vicky (Stan) and Sonja (Dan). She is also survived by her sister Valda Vrsnik and extended family in Slovenia and USA. She was 'Staramama' to grandchildren Emil (Yvonne), Philip (Susanne), Anita (Wayne), Lydia (Richard), Victor (Shannon), Tanya (Brad), Christine (Diederik), Nina, Alexandra, Colin, and Andrew. Ivanka was 'Super staramama' to great grandchildren, Shannon, Nicole, Lauren, Erin, Mark, Roman, Liam, Laura, Ella, Nicolas, Natasha, Julian, Adam and Kate. Ivanka was 'staramama' to many people beyond her family, as her genuine warmth meant there was always food on the table (potica anyone?) and lively conversation in her North end home. Ivanka was born in St. Vid, Slovenia on July 10, 1917. She was the 7th of 12 children in her family. In 1940 she married her husband Ivan. In 1946, the family was forced to leave Slovenia as a result of the civil war, and immigrated to Canada in 1950. She was a matriarch of the family in every sense, and made the importance of Family her life's achievement, ensuring that all four children embraced the same vision. The Second World War and the civil war in Slovenia provided challenges that shaped her, while she alone provided the strength that sustained her. In 2001 she survived a serious stroke and even though she relied on a wheelchair and had limited speech, she continued to teach us all the importance of compassion, patience and love. Ivanka's family would like to extend warmest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Loepp for her care and compassion; also to the staff at Concordia 3NE for their outstanding care and kindness. Special thanks also to the staff at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 30th at 10:30 a.m. with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 95 McDonald Avenue with Rev. Fr. Stan Gacek as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Green Acres Memorial Gardens. Flowers are gratefully declined, however, donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Elevator Fund, P.O. Box 2015, Station Main, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3R3 or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.