Obituary of Jean PIRAGOFF

JEAN MARY PIRAGOFF It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jean Mary Piragoff, Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in Winnipeg. Jean was born on December 20,1914 in Haig, Manitoba. She was the eldest child of Harry and Nellie Galer, who were homestead pioneers in the area and who raised eight children, Jean, Frank, Karen, Nick, Victor, Allan, Elsie and Mary. During her youth, Jean attended a one-room school, where she excelled, and helped her family on the farm until she moved to the The Pas, Manitoba, in 1932, where she cared for a dentist's family. Later that year she met the love of her life, Frederick Elia Piragoff, whom she married on November 12, 1936. Jean and Fred ran the family business, Cold Lake House, until they and their family moved to Winnipeg in 1954. The family owned several apartment buildings and while Fred was a Real Estate Broker, Jean worked at home and raised their sons, Arnold, Ronald and Donald. Fred and Jean were well known in the Russian-Ukrainian community in both The Pas and Winnipeg. Jean also undertook charitable work as a life member of the Order of the Royal Purple; as an original Chartered member in The Pas in 1945 and then in Winnipeg from 1957. In1979-80, she was the Honoured Royal Lady of Winnipeg Lodge #12, and also participated in two national convention drill teams. After nearly 70 years of devoted marriage, her beloved Fred passed away on May 1, 2006. Jean is survived by her three loving sons; grandchildren Heath, Bradley, Ian, Stacey, Aryn and Kara; daughters-in-law Theresa and Carole; granddaughter-in-law Lisa and great-grandchildren Jessie, Quindora, Julian and Miriam; sisters Elsie and Mary, and brother Victor. Jean was the corner-stone of her family and was kind, thoughtful and loving to all of them, and everyone will cherish their own memories of her. Special appreciation to the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge for the special care and friendship that they bestowed on Jean while caring for her after Fred passed away. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Kirkfield Park United Church, 472 Kirkfield St. Winnipeg. Interment to follow in Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean's memory to the Manitoba CancerCare or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Rest in Peace