It is with heavy hearts we share with family, friends and neighbors, of the passing of Agatha Wiebe (nee Wiebe) on Sunday November 11, 2018 in the loving presence of her daughter Cheryl.

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Agatha was born in Gretna Manitoba on March 12, 1924 to Helena and John Wiebe, the second eldest of 8 children.

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Agatha married Dave Wiebe and they were blessed with a daughter. Sadly, her husband passed away leaving Agatha to raise Cheryl as a single mother.

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Agatha, a woman ahead of her time, recognized that her daughter needed the opportunity to grow to her full potential and sought out educational challenges in the francophone schools, foreshadowing Cheryl’s career in French Immersion as an educator and principal.  She also committed her time and resources to making sure that Cheryl was challenged with extensive ballet training with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, something not often done in her community.

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Agatha was not only committed to her daughter’s education but to her own.  As a young woman she had to leave school after grade eight along with her three sisters to help their father on the farm. Later, on her own, she completed grade 12 and studied nursing and hairstyling courses.  Agatha (Joan) worked for more than 25 years and was very respected in her workplace at the St. Boniface Hospital, the very place she was cared for at the end of her life.

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Mom enjoyed her garden and was fond of her flowers, raspberries and her vegetable garden and would frequently be found watering and tending to her plants.  Mom loved her family pets Penny, Missy, and Fendi.  She looked forward to Sunday dinners with her family and holding Fendi for hours on end made her very happy.

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For Years in retirement she lunched with her lady friends every Wednesday.   Mom enjoyed going to the family cottage on Lake of the Woods and the Big Whiteshell, she enjoyed the walks and family time together. She often commented she was a “country girl at heart.”

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Mom had a great sense of humour and where she was, that was the party.  Her sense of humour was a gift and we enjoyed a laugh everyday.  She was a kind, positive and gentle mother/Omi and we were blessed to have had her in our lives for so many years.

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Omi, the beloved grandmother of Jeffrey, Jenna and Janelle supported her grandchildren in all they did and served as a role model for them.  She encouraged them to pursue their dreams and education and do the hard work necessary to achieve them.  Everything she did revolved around Cheryl and her grandchildren and she generously gave her nurturing love and support to them. Omi knew us until her last day telling us with each breath how much she loved us or with the squeeze of our hands and for that we will be forever grateful.

Left to mourn her passing are her loving daughter Cheryl, grandchildren Jeffrey, Jenna and Janelle,(Louis-Philippe) and their father Len Gaudet,  partner Duane, (Keziah and Josiah). Her late brother Jake and his wife Laine , Tannis ( Dave, Tyler, Layna), Erin(Cam).  Her brothers Cornelius (Kathie) Abram (Leonora) her brother in law Peter Neufeld, sister in law Helen Wiebe and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

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Agatha was predeceased by her loving and strong sisters, Elizabeth (Martin) Helen, Anne (Henry) and brother John.

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We would like to thank with all our hearts Omi’s caregivers, Jhona, Beberly, Grace, Verna and the Family Managed Care Program which allowed Omi to stay in her own home until the last week of her life.

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The graveside internment to the Serenity Room Glass Niche will be held at the Thomson In The Park at a date to be determined.

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A Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00 pm on March 12, 2019 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road.

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Thank you to family, friends and colleagues for all your support through the past few years.

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Mom, Omi, words cannot describe how incredibly we will miss you.  We will love you, we will think of you always, we will love you forever.  We thank you for everything you brought into our lives and look forward to seeing you again.

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In lieu of flowers donations to Cancer Care which Mom so strongly supported are gratefully accepted.

 

Mom, You’ve Made A Difference In My Life

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How do you tell the single most important woman in your life what a difference she’s made, or how many times the sound of her voice has lifted your spirit and given you courage to keep following the path of your dreams.

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How do you find the words to thank her for the sacrifices she’s made for the ones you know about and the ones she’s never told you of and the countless times she put your needs before her own.

Mom I have put into words the way I feel about you and I know you always knew in your heart how much I loved you, respected you, and I thank you for the countless ways you’ve helped make my life what it is today. God Bless you Mama Bear.