MARIA BROWN (DOPKO) -

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MARIA BROWN (nee DOPKO) 1922 - 2012 It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Maria Brown, at the age of 89, on January 3, 2012. Maria is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Jack; daughters Donna (Steve) and Janice (Glenn); grandchildren Craig (Bobbi), Lori (Ben), Geoff and Ben; great-grandchildren Noah, Paityn, Brody and Levi, and sisters Anne, Netty and Kathy. Maria was predeceased by her parents, Alexander and Helena Dopko, and her sister Alice. Maria was born July 23, 1922 in Dzibolki, Poland. She was of Ukrainian descent and was fluent in the Ukrainian language. She came to Canada in 1928 and the family settled in Thunder Bay, Ontario. While in Thunder Bay, she worked in a hospital lab and when the Second World War broke out she worked at Canada Car putting fabric on Air Force aircraft. Maria served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the parachute section from April 1942 and was honourably released with medals in September 1945. During her time in the service Maria first laid eyes on the man of her dreams, Jack Brown, at the Air Force base in Dafoe, SK in 1943. Upon Jack's return from overseas, they met again at the base in Brandon in the spring of 1945 and married on September 8 of that year. Maria was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, raising her family while working part time with Swift Canada and numerous other employers. She had many hobbies: she enjoyed cooking and baking, knitting, crocheting and spent many hours in her garden. Her summers were spent at the family cottage at White Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, where she could be found fishing and picking blueberries. Maria and Jack loved to travel, visiting many places throughout the world. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors and staff at the Grace Hospital Intensive Care Unit for their compassion and care. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, with Rev. Merv Lanctot officiating. Reception to follow. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 256 Smith Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 1K1. Maria will be greatly missed and forever loved. Rest in peace Mom and Grandma. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2012