Obituary of Connie Gudz

After a courageous battle against cancer Connie Gudz passed away peacefully at her home in Brandon, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the age of 70 years. Connie was born in Brandon on April 26, 1941 to Gus and Joey Gilarski and attended McLaren School, where she excelled as a student. Connie developed an interest in becoming a nurse at an early age, successfully completing her studies in Brandon's Nursing School, honored with the bronze metal for her academic achievement upon graduating in 1961. She gained lifetime healthcare friends through her studies and the 40 year career worked as a registered nurse at the Brandon General Hospital, mostly in the Emergency and Operating Rooms. This summer she proudly celebrated her 50th reunion with her 1961 graduating class from nursing. Connie and Frank married in June of 1962 in Brandon and soon after bought their first home on 2nd Street. Over the next eight years, they were blessed with two sons and two daughters, Rick, Wendy, Todd, and Jill. Despite being a busy mother, she seemed to find time for her passion in reading and art. Connie was an accomplished artist working with watercolors, oil paints, and pencil. She was proud of the many works she produced, yet continually explored ways to improve her talent and try new techniques. She was an active member of the Brandon Palette Club, where she met new friends to share her passion and participate in formal art classes. One of her proudest moments was when one of her paintings was selected to be hung in the Manitoba Legislature. Through many aspects of her life, as with her artwork, it was evident that Connie showed a keen attention to detail. Connie was a wonderful, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Family and friends were her highest priority, she enjoyed family time immensely, and looked for and created opportunities to bring the family together. It was during these events that she displayed her talents as a cook and baker, producing fabulous meals for all to enjoy. Connie and Frank had a passion for entertaining their wide network of friends at their home in Brandon, the cottage at Clear Lake or wherever they traveled too, being it a sunny destination or a mountain resort. Once her children were of an age to allow her some freedom to explore new experiences on her own, she developed her skills as a golfer, curler and alpine skier, incorporating her new found interests in holidays, skiing in the mountains or winter vacations to more southern climates. Later years had her and Frank traveling to Phoenix for long stay winter getaways, which Connie thoroughly enjoyed. Summers meant enjoying time at their cottage in Clear Lake, the beach, hiking trails, golf course and participating in local Park sponsored events. With her family maturing, finding careers and developing families of their own, the lake has always been an important meeting point and the cottage was a vibrant bee hive of activity each summer. Connie created the very popular family custom of "Christmas in July" as a function of these annual Gudz family reunions. She loved her nine grandchildren and recently completed portraits of each of them amongst the numerous other art work pieces that will be left behind for all to enjoy. She leaves to mourn her mom, Josephine Gilarski, her husband of 49 years, Frank, son Rick (Wendy) Gudz, daughter Wendy (Earl) McComb, son Todd (Kerri Lynn) Gudz and daughter Jill (Mike) Boychuk. Grandchildren Chelsey, Keaton, Carson, Brooklyn, Jackson, Bryce, Blake, Karlyn and Mitchell. Her sister Caroline (Barry) Gurr, sister in-law Mary (Bernie) Wielgosh, sister in-law Sophie Gudz, special cousin Marlene (Lou Shurb) and many nieces and nephews. Connie was predeceased by her father Gus Gilarski, mother-and father-in-law, Lily and Andrew Gudz, and brother-in-law Herbie Gudz. The family wishes to thank Brandon Homecare Services, Dr. Caplan and numerous family and friends for the care and compassion they gave to Mom. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Dominic Yuen as Celebrant. Interment has taken place at Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Connie may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (Westman District) 415 - 1st. Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. It was her time on the planet and she did not waste one minute of it. A meaningful excerpt taken from a song she enjoyed and related to: How do you measure a year in a life…. "in daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles in laughter, in strife. In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure a year in a life? How about love, measure it in love." Connie was an inspiration, she will be missed dearly.