VERA JOANNA FORTNEY (HOLOWACHUK)

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VERA JOANNA FORTNEY (nee HOLOWACHUK) Vera was born in Pine River, MB on June 14, 1939 and passed away on August 16, 2012 after a courageous, hard fought battle with cancer. Predeceased by her husband Allan in 1999, her two brothers Ralph and Emil as well as brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ed And Pat, brother-in-law Joe and sister-in-law Jennette. Left to celebrate her life are her children and grandchildren Donna (Louis) of Winnipeg: Glenn (Barb); Sid, Mark, Nikki, Stacey, Corrin of Lockport: Brian (Benita); Evan and Emily of Lac Du Bonnet. Brother Mel (Dorothy-Ann) of Selkirk, Sister Marge (Ken) Germain of St. Malo, Sister-in-law Vi Holowachuk of Yorkton, SK. and Sister-in-law Eleanor Fortney of Winnipeg, Brother-in-law Ron Ralston of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Donald Fortney of Winnipeg, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Vera's childhood was spent between Pine River, Dauphin and Watson, SK. She enjoyed the outdoors and sports, including playing baseball competitively. Her working career started in Northern Manitoba as a nurse's aide and then moving to Winnipeg where she worked at Misercordia Hospital. It was there in Winnipeg that she met her husband Allan. They were married August 8, 1959 and soon after started a family. They resided in Winnipeg until 1977 then moved to Stony Mountain after they completed building their own home. Both Vera and Allan resided there until their passing. Vera had various careers throughout her life, stay at home mother, worked at Western Smallware, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, The Bay, Interlake School Division as a Bus Driver and finally at Wal-Mart until her illness. Vera enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing with her husband, working in her garden and yard and casino trips to the U.S. Family was important to her and her happiest times were spent with her family. She valued hard work and persistence, no challenge was too hard to tackle and complete. Many thanks to special neighbors Marilyn and Glen Barsness of Stony Mountain, Dr. H. Youseff, Dr. Fuchs, Dr. Demsas, Dr. B. Lyn, Doctors and Nurses and staff of Selkirk General Hospital, Selkirk home Care and the Selkirk Palliative Care team. Mom, we will miss you, but we carry in our hearts your life lessons and love. Your suffering has ended and you join hands with Dad again. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. Funeral service will also be held at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel (433 Main St.) Stonewall on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to take place in the Stonewall Cemetery. In lieu of flowers if friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba. MacKenzie Funeral Home Stonewall in care of arrangements. 204-467-2525, mackhome@mts.net

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 20, 2012