Obituary of BONNIE CHUDO

BONNIE CHUDO

March 18, 1941 to August 29, 2021

After a long, courageous, hard fought battle with Parkinson's Disease, our beloved Mom, Bonnie Chudo, passed away at 80 years of age. Left to painfully mourn her death are her children Allison Hanuschuk (Rod), Barb Cobb (Dallas), Andy Chudo, and Nancy Kessler; her grandchildren Emily Hanuschuk and Morgan Kessler; her sister Alexis Dunstan; her nephews Chris Dunstan and Kirby Dunstan; and cousins, great nieces and great nephews. Also, the numerous caring and compassionate friends Mom absolutely cherished having in her life.

Mom wore her big heart on her sleeve which was evident in her ability to care, share, and light up a room with her personality and laughter. She always ensured people in her presence were comfortable, regardless of their age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Born in Winnipeg and raised in the West End, Mom graduated from Gordon Bell High School in 1959 and married in 1961. She briefly worked as a bank teller until starting her family.  Later in life she returned to work at Laura Secord, Hallmark, and Laura until her retirement in 2010.

The love Mom had for her children and the care she had for her community brought her happiness and fulfillment. In the early 1980’s Mom co-founded K.E.E.P. Child Care on Selkirk Avenue, a place where new Canadians could safely leave their children while enrolling in language courses and furthering their education. She sat on numerous school boards as a parent, motivated by the desire to ensure fairness and equality. She was politely vocal with her opinions, and on more than one occasion politicians were subjected to the power and persuasion of one of her well worded, hand written, but always respectful letters.  

Mom was incredibly smart, clever, and sassy.  She was a wicked kick-ass Scrabble player, so much so, games often ended with players up on their feet – but they always came back for more. Along with sewing, knitting, and baking, mom’s hobbies included reading.  Reading meant a lot to Mom.  She read on a daily basis and introduced reading to her children and grandchildren at a very early age, and encouraged them to be lifelong readers.

Always on tap were weekly trips downtown by bus, where Mom would take us to visit the library, throw a penny with a wish into the Bay Paddlewheel, or give a quick rub to Timothy Eaton’s toe.

You will forever be in our hearts, Mom. Take big steps, laugh along the way, live it all!

Thank-you to everyone who assisted Mom, including Tuxedo Villa Extendicare, Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts, Movement Disorder Clinic (Dr. Douglas Hobson), Charleswood Seniors Active Living Centre, Dr. Andrew Gomori, Dr. Heather Domke, Charleswood Safeway Pharmacy, and Grace Hospital.

All are welcome to Mom’s funeral service to be held on Friday, September 17 at 11:00 am at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB. Interment will follow at Glen Eden Cemetery, 4477 Main Street, West St Paul, MB.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson Canada.  It is important because wait times to diagnosis and access to multidisciplinary care are significant concerns in the Parkinson’s community. 1 in 5 people wait more than a year to receive a diagnosis. There is 1 Parkinson’s specialist for every 1,679 people living with Parkinson’s. There is no consistent approach to care across the country, and there are geographical barriers for people living in rural areas.  Thank you.