Obituary of Mary Felawka

FELAWKA: Mary Felawka (née Sawisky) Pienkowski. We are deeply saddened by the sudden and peaceful passing of our beloved mom and Baba, Mary Felawka. Mom passed on January 27th, 2015 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre at the age of 89. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Diane (Paul) Vinet of Winnipeg and Gay (Bill) Courtice of Brandon. Also, she will be sadly missed by her grandsons Danny (Kim) Cowan of Winnipeg and Lance Courtice of Brandon. Granddaughters Charlotte (Kevin) Smith of B.C., Jacqueline (Justin) Empey of Alberta, Carolyn Vinet of Winnipeg and Dara Courtice (Mike) of Brandon. Great Grandchildren Ben, Olivia, Cassidy and Peyton Rose. Mom was born April 16th, 1925 in Rackham, Manitoba, the middle child to a family of nine. She started her first job in a hotel in Minnedosa, Manitoba. Later moving to Brandon, she found an apartment on the 200 block of 12th Street. She worked at the Cameo Cafe, Prince Edward Hotel and years at Barney's Motel as a cook/waitress. Mother married Frank Pienkowski in 1948 and together they had three daughters, Diana, Valerie and Gay. They settled in with their lives at the corner of 17th Street and Richmond Avenue. Mom always had a huge garden and after a few years, Frank built a bungalow style home on the property. In 1963, father Frank passed away. Mom married Paul Felawka in 1965 and moved the girls and two dogs, Rusty and Ringo, to the farmland near Rounthwaite, Manitoba, where mom became a farmer's wife. They farmed until 1989, when dad retired completely from farming. Upon retirement, mom and dad moved to Brandon (1989). It wasn't long before they made many new friends from the neighborhood. Over the years, they enjoyed many social gatherings with the neighbors and families, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. Mom was predeceased by her beloved daughter Valerie Jane in 2007, her husband Frank in 1963, and recently, her husband Paul in February 2014. Her father William in 1954 and her mother Rose in 1975. Mom was the last surviving member of nine brothers and sisters. Thank you mom for all the cherished memories you blessed us with. The birthday celebrations, the anniversary celebrations, the holiday festivities, the family gatherings, the wonderful home cooked meals, and all the love you gave unconditionally! Thank-you for the wonderful life you gave us. Thank you to the neighbors over the years. A celebration of mom's life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Monday, February 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Funeral Celebrant, Kim Lewarne, officiating. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations may be made in mom's memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, A1-800 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 6N5.