Obituary of VICTORIA (VICKI) SOKOLOWSKI

VICTORIA (VICKI) SOKOLOWSKI

It is with great sadness that on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Concordia Hospital, Vicki, beloved wife of Walter, passed away at the age of 84 years. 

Besides her husband Walter of 60 years, she is survived by her 3 children, daughters Jane and Tania and her son Ken (Cindy). Her 7 grandchildren Tatiana, Alicia, Katya, Lane, Mikal, Evan and Matthew will miss their biggest cheerleader.

She is also survived by her sisters, Doreen (Mervyn), and Virginia (George) and brother Steve (Marguerite).  She has numerous nieces and nephews who will dearly miss their Auntie Vicki.  Vicki was predeceased by her parents, Vera and Steve, sisters, Mary, Rosie, Annie and Katie and brothers, John, George, Bill, Fred and Matthew.

Victoria was born on January 1, 1933 in Buchanan, Saskatchewan.  She was the third youngest of 13 siblings.  She spoke of the happy memories of growing up on the farm, spending time with her sisters or going to a dance to watch her brothers play in a band.  She has always remained close to her siblings who were special in her heart.

When Vicki was a young woman, she followed her siblings to Winnipeg to pursue a career in nursing. She enjoyed the comradery when she lived with her classmates in a home on Grosvenor Avenue during her nursing school years.  She always remained in touch with her classmates over the years and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to attend reunions for Class B, even traveling as far as Vancouver.

Vicki graduated from the Health Sciences School of Nursing in 1954 and began her career at the Women’s Hospital on the maternity ward.  She remained working there for 42 years till she retired in 1996.  She loved the work and her colleagues.  This was a large reason why she remained on the maternity ward for her entire career.

Vicki was a nurse with heart and soul.  Her reputation was of a hard working professional who was dedicated and caring.  At work, she had a special skill to be able to walk in to a room, assess and take action.  She was always proud to say she worked as a labor and delivery nurse and so many babies were born with the help of Vicki.

Vicki met her husband Walter while he was a patient in the hospital.  They married in 1956 and moved to their home in East Kildonan in 1960 where they remained till her passing.   Vicki was ahead of her time, as she managed the work of raising her family but also her career as a nurse. 

She hosted many family gatherings and made sure there was always plenty to eat.  You would never see her sit down to eat till everyone else had eaten.   Her chicken soup, coleslaw, banana bread and spaghetti sauce were always a favorite especially for her grandchildren.

She cared for her family and friends with the same compassion she had in her career as a nurse.  She was there for the good and the challenging times.  Vicki was the person everyone would call asking for her advice.  Her family will cherish her memory but she will also be greatly missed by all the people she has known over the years.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Concordia Hospital, Palliative Care, Home Care and Cancer Care for their kindness and sensitivity during this difficult time.

A special thank you to all the extended family and friends for their support and comfort provided over the past year.

A Celebration of Vicki’s life will be held Friday, June 23, 2017 for 3:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. 

If friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba.