LAURA HRENCHUK

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LAURA HRENCHUK September 14, 1917 - May 13, 2014 Laura Hrenchuk passed away on May 13, 2014, at the age of 96. Laura was predeceased by her beloved husband Emil; her parents; and her sister Grace. She is lovingly remembered by her son Carl and daughter-in-law Christine Johnston; daughter Charlotte and son-in-law Rene Rivard; grandchildren Lee (Paul Fafard), Claire (Jon Peake) and Andrea Hrenchuk as well as George, Anna and Odette Rivard; sisters-in-law Carole Maxom and Elsie Trager; brother-in-law John Trager; and many nieces and nephews. Laura was born in Hamilton, Ontario. on September 14, 1917, to Maude Watcher and Abraham Johnston. She danced and taught with the Hamilton Little Ballet before moving to Toronto after the Second World War where she met the love of her life, Emil, a young Winnipeg man studying at the University of Toronto. She took the courageous step of moving to Winnipeg in 1949 to marry him. Laura was talented and creative and became a devoted wife and mother. She loved classical music and had a green thumb, growing beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Orchids bloomed on her windowsills. She was an accomplished seamstress, cook and baker. She enjoyed her bridge club friendships. Laura was an active member of St. Vital Catholic Church and the Christian Family Movement. When their children left home, Mom and Dad joined the Winnipeg Photography Club and the Manitoba Naturalists, exploring the province on many excursions as well as volunteering at Fort Whyte Nature Centre. Laura and Emil loved to travel and visited their children in northern Manitoba, Alberta and the Yukon as well as friends and relatives in eastern Canada and the Northwest Territories. They also explored Europe in their Volkswagen camper, living in Portugal and Vienna on separate occasions. She enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the countries they visited. Mom loved the opera, the symphony and naturally, the ballet. She was a gracious, supportive and loving person with a ready, beautiful smile and a good word for all. Family and friends will miss her warm presence. The family would like to thank the staff of Apple Tree Lane at Misericordia Place for the warmth and care they showed Laura in her last months and for their kindness to the family at her passing. A remembrance and celebration of Laura's life will be held on May 21, 2014, at Misericordia Place Chapel at 1:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba at 10 - 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2014