ROBERTA (PARASCHIVA) HOLUNGA

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ROBERTA (PARASCHIVA) HOLUNGA October 27, 1937 - September 14, 2013 With saddened hearts we announce the passing of our dear sister and aunt, Roberta Paraschiva (Bobby) Holunga. Roberta was born in the rural Municipality of Riding Mountain, Manitoba. She was the daughter of the late Vasile and Magdelina (Gabor) Holunga. She was predeceased by her brother Nestor Holunga and her sister Mary (Maria) Holunga as well as three infant siblings Gheorghe, Domnica and Veronica. She leaves to mourn her passing her brother Todar (Ted) Holunga and her sister Anne (Ana Holunga) Russell as well as many nieces and nephews and their respective families. Roberta will be lovingly remembered. As a child, Roberta attended grade school at Riding Park School in Twin Brae, Manitoba. Following her family's move to Winnipeg in 1950 Roberta attended both General Wolfe Junior High School and Daniel Mclntyre Senior High School. Upon completion of grade 12 Roberta attended United College as well as The University of Manitoba where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She worked as a Social Worker with The Children's Aid Society for several years then altered her professional course in life to work with Dr. Irene Uchida in the Genetics Research Department at the Health Science Centre. As a result of their combined diligence and hard work in the field of Genetics, Dr. Uchida and Roberta were offered a Grant from McMasters University in Hamilton, Ontario and were invited to further their research at that institution. Dr. Uchida accepted the offer and left Winnipeg but due to the ill health of her mother, Roberta herself declined the offer. She also felt it necessary at the time to decline a subsequent invitation that she received from an institute in Switzerland in 1979 requesting that she present a paper on the research she had been involved in up until that time and also to initiate a research program in Genetics there. Soon after, Roberta herself fell ill and remained incapacitated for many years up until the time of her passing. Roberta was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and performed in many operettas as well as directing her church choir for a number of years. She was a talented and creative artist with a flair for color and design. It is somehow fitting that she was called home to her Eternal Rest in the month of September as it was her favourite month and autumn was her favourite season. So many of her creative endeavors reflected the colours of this special time of year. Throughout her life and throughout her many trials and tribulations she was nevertheless constant and unwavering in her Faith in God. DUMNEZEU S'O IERTE. Prayers will be said on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Demetrious Romanian Orthodox Church, Furby and Westminster with Father Victor Malanca officiating. A reception will be held directly afterward. Interment to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 18, 2013