VICTORIA THERESA STEPNUK (NAFOSTOWICZ)

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VICTORIA THERESA STEPNUK (nee NAFOSTOWICZ) December 3, 1925 - November 16, 2013 With heavy hearts our family announces the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Victoria Stepnuk on November 16, 2013, at Seven Oaks Hospital, at the age of 87. Victoria was surrounded and lovingly held by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the time of her passing. Victoria was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the Point Douglas area. She attended Holy Ghost School and after graduating from high school she was employed in the offices of Ogilvie Flour Mills. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Edward. They married in 1949 and started their family shortly after. Victoria and Edward traveled to many warm destinations across the globe, a favourite being Hawaii. Summer weekends were spent at the Beaconia cottage on Balsam Bay with family, friends and an entourage of her fond pets. Babi and Gigi attended all of their grandchildren's sporting events spending many hours and days in hockey arenas and gymnasiums or at baseball fields and soccer pitches enjoying every minute of it. Victoria was also a season ticket holder of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers since 1948 and also supported the original Winnipeg Jets having season tickets for their entire tenure in both the WHA and NHL and she shared her tickets with her children and grandchildren. Family gatherings were important to Mom and she enjoyed them even more once the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. Mom spent endless hours preparing Sunday dinner for her family to share. Holiday dinners always included Mom's traditional Polish and Ukrainian dishes which we all loved. Hanging with "The Bob" were special events that were cherished by her and her teenage grandchildren to watch Dancing with the Stars or an out of town Bomber or Jet game. The kids would organize and then spontaneously show up and "The Bob" would have to spring for pizza. Her favourite restaurant was Red Lobster where she enjoyed the clam chowder. She would treat any family member who would escort her there and sometimes it was a carload of grandchildren. Her love of animals was showcased by her support of the Winnipeg Humane Society, her care for fauna in the city or at the lake and her special attention given to all of her pets. Victoria loved her dogs, especially her Doberman Pinchers of which she bred champion puppies. Music and dance filled her life. She held a passion for many genres of music. On many occasions Babi failed to answer the phone or a knock at the door because the music was "too" loud and she would be caught dancing in the kitchen when we would let ourselves in. Victoria was predeceased by her husband Edward, father John and mother Katherine Nafostowicz, sisters Bertha Rusak, Josephine Skoleski and Mary (Minnie) Kosmuk, and brother Stephen Nafostowicz.. Victoria leaves to cherish her memory her children Brian (Mia), Ed (Liz), Gerald (Carla), Cathy Thalman (Rob); her grandchildren Lisa (Ian), Christa (Scott), Nicole (Adam), Paul (Heather), Steven (Stacey), Leanne (Greg), Tristan (Taryn), Tanner (Maria), Cole, Danielle (Mackenzie), Brett and Aaron; her great-grandchildren, Jovan, Lilah, Kaleigh, Nolan, Brady, Kasia and Charlotte, and many nieces and nephews who were very special to her. All of the family, and we are certain Victoria as well, would like to extend a very warm and special thank you to her family physician Dr. Wyant, to Dr. Lobato de Faria, to the home and hospital Palliative Care team and care givers and to all the wonderful and caring staff at Seven Oaks Hospital. A celebration of Victoria's life will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 4588 Roblin Boulevard on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Monsignor Maurice Comeault presiding. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba, The Winnipeg Humane Society or to a charity or cause of your choice. "Children and Mothers never truly part - Bound in the beating of each other's Heart" Mom and Babi, we love and miss you more than words can say. Cropo Funeral Chapel 204-586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2013