Obituary of BARBARA ROSE BOZYK

BARBARA ROSE BOZYK 
August 30, 1947 – May 29, 2019

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear sister, Barbara Rose Bozyk.  Barbara passed away peacefully on May 29, 2019 at St. Boniface Hospital after a short battle with cancer.

Barbara was born in Winnipeg to Kathryn and Paul Bozyk.  She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Gregory.  Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Patricia, brother, Christopher (Sandra), sister-in-law, Angel, nieces, Krispin (Stefan) and Stacy (Ed), and nephew Trevor (Austin), cousins and friends.

Barbara attended St. Ignatius School, St. Mary’s Academy and graduated from Kelvin High School.  She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. She also held a Certificate in Adult Education.

Her first job after university was as an instructor in Adult Basic Education in Ashern, Manitoba.  Following this experience, she taught English-as- an- Alternative Language to refugees from Czechoslovakia following the Spring Revolution of 1968.  The rest of her career was spent at Red River College teaching English grammar and composition in the Adult Upgrading Program and Senior 3 and 4 subjects – English, Intro to Business and Technical Writing.  She engaged her students with her enthusiasm and humour.  Over the years she encountered many former students who expressed their appreciation for how she helped them succeed in their courses and move on to further education, training and/or jobs.  

Barbara lived her life with a joyful and generous spirit.  She greeted everyone she met, from family and friends to professionals, support and retail staff to street people, with a smile and a friendly word.  She was very thoughtful sending cards to friends on special occasions and buying gifts to show appreciation.

Barbara used to joke that she loved “fun, fashion, and football”. She had a keen sense of humour and loved to laugh, joke and tease.  She liked to entertain family and friends whether with a formal dinner or a casual social afternoon or evening with drinks and snacks.  Laughter and lively discussions were always part of these occasions.  Barbara enjoyed fashion. She had eye for style and good design and dressed with flare.  She loved football, especially the NFL and her beloved New England Patriots.  Although less enthusiastic about the CFL, every spring when training camp began, she renewed her interest in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and hope for a winning season.   

Barbara was very musical.  She had a beautiful singing voice and could harmonize easily.  She took piano lessons for many years at St. Mary’s Academy and enjoyed all types of music:  classical, pop, rock and Broadway musicals

Summer was Barbara’s favourite season. Sitting in the sun by a lake or a pool was her idea of heaven. Barbara and her sister, Pat, enjoyed many happy days at Gimli, Grand Beach and Bird’s Hill Park. They also travelled to Europe, visiting Italy three times, and many cities in the U.S. and Mexico.

Faith and family were very important to Barbara.  She tried, each day, to live the message of the gospel “to love God with your whole heart…and to love your neighbour as yourself”.  She loved her family very much and shared herself in ways that were unique and special to each one of us.

To know Barbara was to know joy.  She will be greatly missed.  She will be loved and remembered always.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford St. at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 with Father Joe Newman, celebrant.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca  or www.doctorswithoutborders.ca.