Obituary of STEPHANIE KATARINA BEDNARCZYK

Stephanie Katarina Bednarczyk

(nee) Schoffner

May 1, 1925 - November 24, 2022

At the age of 97, after a determined battle, Stephanie Katarina Bednarczyk, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2022.

"Steffie" was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Michael, her brothers Marian and Otto and her great granddaughter Zoe. Left to mourn and cherish her memory are her son George (Val Moon), her grandson Joseph and his wife Joyce, whose daughter Ellie brought tremendous joy into her life, her grandson Adam and Joseph and Adam's mother Sharyn. Also left to remember her are her niece Rita (Ed) Globa and their children Andrea and Adam, her nephew John (Julie) Schoffner and their children Owen and Reese, and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Suttner. She will also be remembered with fondness by her goddaughter Carol Harrison and by her very special "niece", Christine Piotrowski. Extended family in Germany and Ukraine will also mourn her passing.

Stephanie was born May 1, 1925, in Pochersdorf, Poland. After being displaced by the war and with, as she said, "nothing left to lose", Steffie left home to work as a wartime nurse and then travelled to Rochdale, England where she met Michael. The family moved to Canada, settling in Winnipeg's north end. Steffie and Mike found work wherever they could until the notion of running a corner grocery store took hold. That corner store, the multiethnic community around it, and St. John's Cantius church became their life for the next years. Steffie was a member and president of the Catholic Women's League and sang in the choir. After the grocery store days, Steffie worked as a cashier at the Gaiety Theatre and later, as a cosmetician at Shopper's Drug Mart.

She will be remembered as someone who loved to sing, dance, travel, socialize and to cook and bake. Yes, of course her pierogis were the best (with due respect to all the other "best" pierogy makers…it is a title that must be shared). Thanks to her grandsons Adam and Joseph, Steffie, well into her 90's, became an avid iPad user. The iPad kept her in touch with her friends, relatives and in particular, her great granddaughter, Ellie. Many thanks to Joyce for making this joyous connection happen. Steffie was a friend to all, always willing to extend a helping hand. She was a woman of deep faith whose strong beliefs comforted her and brought her peace in her final days.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Homecare and to Concordia Village for helping enrich her last years. We also thank St. Boniface Hospital staff for their care and Dr. Chris Matthews for his compassion and support.

Special recognition goes to her grandsons Adam and Joseph. Adam spent so much wonderful time "hanging out" with his grandma over these past years. Joseph, although many miles away, was always available to help navigate the meeting of her very complex medical needs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., St. John Cantius Church, 846 Burrows Ave. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ukraine Humanitarian Fund.