Obituary of BERNICE LORRAINE FERMAN

BERNICE LORRAINE FERMAN

(CHURA)

December 10, 1941 – February 15, 2018

Peacefully, surrounded by her family, aged 76 (not the 39 she professed), Bernice Ferman passed away at Concordia Hospital on February 15, 2018.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Kay Chura and her in-laws, Martin and Marge Ferman.

 She is survived by her husband, Adam, to whom she was married for 55 years, son David (Patrizia), her daughter Cathy (Brian) Paul, and grandchildren Casey and Alexandra Paul; Sophie Moskalyk (sister), sister-in-law Carol Richter and her daughter Charlene, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.

Bernice was born in Winnipeg and spent her childhood years in the Point Douglas area. Singing in the St. Andrews Ukrainian Catholic Church choir and full participation in the activities of the church life was the beginning of a life time of full engagement with the church community that extended to Holy Eucharist and St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church. Bernice and Adam celebrated mass with the family and made wonderful friends. In the late 1950’s she attended St. John’s High School and enthusiastically participated in many sports, such as Track and Field and Basketball. This is where she met Adam. They married on June 25, 1962. She was employed by the Toronto-Dominion Bank then moved on to St. Boniface Hospital, first as a Switchboard Operator, and then Ward Clerk. She went on to work at River East Collegiate as a Secretary. She continued to work and retired 5 times, finally retiring from the Manitoba Clinic. She loved working and made many close friends. She was a caring, compassionate person. No patient ever suffered alone. Mom loved to talk and tell all her stories about the goings on at the hospital, her trips, and her Vegas jaunts. She loved spending time with her family and “the Pugs”, in the pool. Las Vegas was a perennial favorite, with road trips to Moose Jaw and Banff. Family was everything. Baba was the FBI! She wanted to know what was going on with everyone and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and give advice. She loved the Jets, the Vikings and the Bombers … or was it Saskatchewan? She called all the off-sides, whether they existed or not. She cheered loud enough to be hoarse, the next day, while always offering constructive advice, of course.

Thank you to Very Rev. Mark Gnutel (officiating), Rev. Fr. Alan Wizinsky; Concordia Hospital, Dr. Ron Scrapneck, Dr. J. Sawchuk, Ally (Nurse Practitioner), and the dear nurses and aides of 225 East. We appreciate the many visitors who came to her bedside.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 35 Marcie Street (off Gilmore Ave.), Winnipeg, R2G 3S4.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Anne Memorial Icon Fund.

Vichnaya Pamyat