VIOLET MAY TASCONA

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VIOLET MAY TASCONA After a short illness and a courageous fight, Violet May Tascona peacefully passed away on August 29, 2014 with family at her side. May leaves to mourn her son Marty (Callie) of Calgary, son Chris (Faye Miron) of Winnipeg, daughter Cathie (Patrick Payne) of Winnipeg, grandchildren Hannah June, Hayley May, and Antonio of Calgary; Michael Tascona of Germany; Isabella and Sebastien of Winnipeg; Dominic and Daniella Payne of Winnipeg. Also mourning her passing is her sister-in-law Nellie Gilchrist of North Battleford; niece Joyce Webinger; Dustin Shore of Kenora; Bernie Shore of Winnipeg; and Mom's friend Sheila Feltham. May was predeceased by her beloved son Larry and her younger brother Robert Gilchrist of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. May was married to Tony Tascona from 1951 to 1982. They had four children, Larry, Marty, Christopher, and Katherine. May returned to school in 1960 to complete her high school education, culminating in 1974 when she graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Science, double major in Organic Chemistry and Microbiology. Strong qualifications for pre-Med in an era when women over 40 were not allowed into med school. On a lighter note, it was widely rumored at the time that she outperformed her colleagues in lab-work mostly because they had no idea how to sterilize the glassware! May took great delight as shopkeeper and owner of Osborne Village based Form & Function, purveyor of urban housewares, furniture and wire shelving. It was a great passion for her to help add some colour, modern design and a little kitsch to the many patrons who dropped in to visit her eclectic shop. Until retiring in 2004, May also provided bookkeeping and accounting services to individuals, companies, and many native bands in the Manitoba Hinterland. Many were amazed that she would travel the distance to their reserves and spend the night as a houseguest. Few realized that she had spent years growing up in the remote area of Berens River in Eastern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. That experience bred in her a fierce independence, strong spirit and self-reliance that she eagerly passed to her children and grandchildren. She was a character to be remembered, a gentle inner soul, with a fierce exterior that had successfully battled strokes from 2006 until present day. A kind and loving mother who celebrated her role as Grandma May each weekend at Cathie's home. Her laughter and smile will be forever missed. A special thank you to the staff and friends of Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home for their years of attention, friendship, warmth and caring. Please join us for a celebration of May's life to be held in the Taché Room at the Norwood Hotel on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 20, 2014