JANE KOLEY (YABLONOWSKI)

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JANE KOLEY (nee YABLONOWSKI) In the comfort of her home, on December 11, 2013, Jane passed and a bright light went out. Jane is predeceased by her beloved husband and soul mate, Walter Koley, her son Wayne, and parents Betty and John Yablonowski. Left to forever cherish her memory are her children Paula (Peter) Ahi, Janice (Bill) Larkin, Dave (Lillian) Koley, Carla (Paul) Cronin, and Shawn and Mabel You; grandchildren Eric (Melissa), Jennifer (Jason), Michael, Kristen, Ashley (Doug), Andrew, Meghan (Dusty), Tyler (Liz) and Abby: and great-grandson Johnathan, all whom she loved as dearly as they loved her. Jane was a loving sister to Helen Poapst and George (Elsie) Yablonowski. Mom was born Janina Yablonowski on September 24, 1924, in Poland. She moved to Canada at the age of five. Mom loved and excelled in school, but at age 13 had to leave school to support her family, completing her schooling later on her own. As a young woman, mom secured a job at Eaton's as one of the glamorous "Elevator Girls". She worked her way through the cosmetics department up to the credit office, where she was promoted to supervisor of collections and fraudulent accounts. Mom's passion was cooking and entertaining. Using her entrepreneurial skills, she and Dad fulfilled a dream when they opened the iconic Jane and Walter's Sandy Hook Village Inn restaurant. As recently as this year, Mom was still approached by people who recognized her as "Jane" from Jane and Walter's. Mom later operated Jane and Paula's Dunatar Inn in Matlock with daughter Paula. Mom and Dad lived a full and wonderful life during their 67 years together. They were inseparable. The family enjoyed many summers at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach. Mom and Dad were snowbirds, enjoying many winters in Florida, Texas, and Palm Springs. Mom was vibrant, elegant and full of grace; a devoted, nurturing, compassionate and protective wife, mother, grandmother and sister with an extraordinary capacity for love. She was committed to her church, where she was a member of the Catholic Women's League, and to her charities, always putting others before herself. Mom was a natural healer, curing Dad when doctors had given up on him. She always had an effective home remedy to cure your ills. Mom had a wonderful sense of humour, and her wittiness remained with her up until her passing. Mom was lovingly cared for by her family, especially her daughter Paula, who brought Mom into her home in her final months, and daughter Janice and granddaughter Jennifer who provided nursing care throughout her illness. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. McClure, Dr. Wong, Dr. Webb and nurse Ola of the Palliative Care Community Team, and to the Riverview Hospice staff, for their compassion and dedication. Thanks also to caregiver Dolly Miranda for her loving care, and to Dr. Ted Rosenberg, a family friend who cared for Mom in Victoria and who we relied on for his expert advice. Although not unexpected, we are never ready to lose someone we loved so much. We are comforted knowing that Mom is held in the loving embrace of angels. A celebration of Jane's life will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Gerard Church, 45 Foster Street, Winnipeg. Donations in memoriam can be made to the Palliative Care Community Program Fund in care of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, MS107-820 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, phone (204) 787-2022, or to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 18, 2013