Obituary of ROSE HUDZICK

ROSE HUDZICK (nee TARAS) July 20, 1926 – September 25, 2016 Peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2016, Rose passed away at the age of 90 with family at her side. Rose was a beloved and devoted mother to daughter Marlene (Bernie) and son Garry (Cheryl) and cherished Nanny to grandchildren Tricia, Amanda, Alyssa (great grandchildren Max and Aurora), and Christalee. Also left to cherish her memory are her sister Frances, and many nieces, nephews and friends. With her passing, Rose is reunited with her Mom (Katherine), Dad (Michael), brothers Frank and Stanley, sisters Mary, Caroline and Gladys, grandsons Brent and Dale, and other beloved family and friends. Mom was privileged to grow up in a loving and hardworking Polish family in the Pine Ridge area. This provided her with strength of faith and a strong work ethic to overcome the struggles she faced throughout life. Attending Mass was very important to Mom, whether it was traveling to St. Michael’s in Cooks Creek by foot or hay wagon during her childhood, or driving with family to Winnipeg from her care home in Springfield. Mom was selfless in her time, care, generosity and love in helping others. This extended not only to family and friends, but also to coworkers and acquaintances. She was also a strong and determined woman, setting and achieving a variety of goals others may have not thought possible. For instance, returning to school in her 50s gave her the knowledge and the confidence to manage multiple business locations and hundreds of employees throughout her career in the area of food services and Human Resources. Reluctantly, Mom retired at the age of 71, but continued to be active in the community by volunteering for the church nursery school and Sisters of Charity. Mom enjoyed hosting and feeding family, friends and unexpected visitors (ie. two cyclists traveling across Canada who camped in her backyard). Anyone who stopped by was expected to eat and have a drink (tea, coffee and Pepsi were never in short supply). As meals were important, it is no surprise she also valued and taught us the Polish Christmas and Easter traditions. Whether it was babysitting, a ritual weekend sleepover, dressing up to terrify at a Halloween party or taking one or two grandchildren (at the age of 11) on a special trip with her, time with grandchildren was important. Although we can’t be sure she was aware, this included one last sleepover and pizza dinner with her family this past weekend. She will be greatly missed but leaves her family and friends with a lifetime of warm, happy and loving memories. We were all in awe of Mom’s strength and resilience, a source of inspiration to the entire family. We are so proud of her life well-lived. A big thank you to the health care aides, nurses and staff who went beyond in showing their care and compassion to Mom, especially during her final days. Funeral prayers and Mass will be held starting at 10am Wednesday September 28 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (250 Burrin Ave.) Mass intentions at St. Anthony of Padua or donations to a charity of choice is requested in lieu of flowers. A private family interment will be at Pine Ridge Pioneer Cemetery at Birds Hill Park.