MILKA SMILJANIC

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MILKA SMILJANIC November 8, 1927 October 5, 2013 Milka died peacefully on October 5 at Riverview Health Care Centre in the palliative care unit. It seems fitting that Milka died close to the Feast of St. Francis. Like St. Francis, she had a tender heart for all animals and birds, particularly the abandoned, injured or vulnerable. Milka was placed onto the WRHA palliative care program at the end of April, 2013. She received palliative care services in her home, until she was admitted to Riverview in July. She was deeply grateful for the care, patience and compassion extended to her by everyone involved in the palliative care program, both in the community and at Riverview. Thanks to them, her pain and other symptoms were well managed, and her last few months of life were dignified and comfortable. Milka was born in Grabar, Yugoslavia. She experienced much hardship during her life, but was a determined and feisty woman who carved out a life for herself in Canada. She was proud of her Canadian citizenship and her hard-won independence. She had a very strong work ethic, lived a quiet life, and loved her home, cats and garden. Milka was predeceased by her parents, brothers and sisters in Croatia and Serbia. She leaves to mourn her sister-in-law, Zora Smiljanic, and several nieces and nephews in Croatia and Serbia, as well as her long-time friend, Mary Williams (Bruce, Liz, Ernie, Dianne, Aaron and Cassandra) of Winnipeg, her recent friend and kindred spirit, Karmin Barber, her friend and helper, Roger Martin, and her neighbours on Simcoe Street. Funeral service to be held on Friday, October 11, at 1:00 p.m., at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery) with Father William Drake officiating. Donations in memory of Milka may be made to D'Arcy's A.R.C. 730B Century Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 0M1. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 NEILBARDALINC.COM

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 09, 2013