Obituary of ELEANOR HELEN ANN KOWALEWICH

ELEANOR HELEN ANN KOWALEWICH Eleanor was born on June 13, 1939, and was raised and educated in Winnipeg. She loved school and learning, and felt her childhood was happy and her teenage years more than wonderful. She graduated from the former Manitoba Normal School and from the University of Manitoba with degrees in Arts and Education. She had a fulfilling teaching career within the Seven Oaks School Division for 32 years. She taught primary grades and later on, kindergarten. Long after she retired she was delighted to encounter former students, now mature adults, or their parents at shopping centres and restaurants. She seemed to always be recognized and acknowledged and enjoyed hearing of their successes, careers, marriages and school memories. She was fondly remembered as “Mrs. K”. Eleanor’s life was well lived and well travelled. With her husband she enjoyed many trips and cruises. They started travelling when young and continued well into their seventies. Trips to Europe, Ukraine, Russia, most of Canada and much of the U.S.A. Cruises to Alaska, up the Volga and Dneiper Rivers, and most special of all, a 50th Anniversary Cruise on the Danube from Amsterdam to Budapest. Eleanor always returned with beautiful objects to display in her home from their many vacations. The deep and abiding love she felt for her husband, her son Val, and her daughter-in-law Shelly was the drawing force in her life. She frequently stated that the one thing she did “absolutely right” in her life was to marry Vic. Trust, Strength, Security and Love – They had it all. They had a life together many would envy and wish for. As a mother, her love for Val and Shelly was unwavering. They were a delight to be with and filled her life with much laughter, and love, and good times. They always remembered special occasions with beautiful floral arrangements and sentimental and/or funny, crazy cards that Eleanor kept and treasured. One Mother’s Day card in particular described her best! “LIFE COACH AND PERSONAL STRATEGIST NUTRITIONAL COUNSELOR PERSONAL HISTORIAN LIFELONG ADVISOR PEACEKEEPER MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND AVAILABLE ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT” She was that and more! Eleanor had many little passions in life that she faithfully indulged in. She knew how to make time for herself. In no particular order she enjoyed: doing crossword puzzles, listening to classical music, compiling memorable photo albums, tending her many houseplants, arranging floral bouquets, eating nuts and chocolates, making muffins, playing cribbage with Vic, and, the decorating and re-decorating of her home which never stopped!! She was a voracious reader, rarely watched TV, and disliked the computer though she managed to be proficient in using it! She was a complex and unique woman – intelligent, creative, opinionated, honest and compassionate. Being a rather private person, she rarely exposed her vulnerable, romantic side, her super organized and perfectionist self, though she never denied who she was if it was brought to her attention. Eleanor battled with cancer with perseverance and poise, but eventually with a bit of defiance, first with (CLL) leukemia and a blessed remission of several years and then with pancreatic cancer where she made a personal choice to hopefully go “quietly into the night”, instead of a course of difficult, brutal treatments when the odds for survival were very slim. She was a believer in euthanasia for those with terminal illnesses, to spare agony, pain and despair for oneself and loved ones. She was strong willed, courageous and quite frankly, “amazing” with how she dealt with “lifes’ cruel curves” as she called them. Eleanor leaves to celebrate her life and remember her, in memorable, happy times her beloved husband of 54 years, Victor, her engaging son, Val-Michael and her beautiful daughter-in-law, Shelly. She also leaves behind her brother Terry Zurawecki, his family, nephew Stephen (Jolene) and their children, Emerson and Birckley, niece Tracy (Nick) Giancola and son Marco. Extended family members in Winnipeg, B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario include many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and their families. They all in their own ways past and present made Eleanor’s life brighter. We would like to thank all of Eleanors’ caregivers, especially Dr. Patricia Glendenning Pittman for all her concern and care, Dr. Dhaliwal of Cancer Care, Drs. Loiselle and St. Gerrard of Palliative Care. All of the Palliative Care Day Nurses who visited Eleanor at home, and especially Liz and Jennifer, who were so helpful during Eleanors’ last days at home. Much as Eleanor loved flowers, in lieu of such, consider a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society, or a charity of your choice, or, a beautiful bouquet for someone you love. Eleanor passed away on May 10, 2015 Cremation has taken place and Eleanor requested no formal funeral be held. However, to acknowledge her well lived life, there will be a gathering for family and friends to reminisce over old and better times on Friday May 15 at the Canad Inns, Garden City Inn – Ambassador Room A from 1:30 to 3:30pm.