JEAN POLAK

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JEAN POLAK (MAZUR) It is with deepest sorrow that the family of Jean Polak announces her passing at the age of 91 years. Jean left us on February 13, 2015, at Seven Oaks General Hospital, due to respiratory failure related to pneumonia. Jean was born November 16, 1923, in Nowy Targ, Poland. She immigrated to Canada in 1928 at the age of five, with her parents and three siblings. They made their first homestead in Lintlaw, Saskatchewan and later moved to a farm near Kelvington, Saskatchewan. She attended Oxford Centre School near Lintlaw and later went to Pipestone Valley School. Jean worked as a cook in various logging camps in Saskatchewan and Ontario. She later worked for CN Rail as a cook, primarily in Churchill, Manitoba and Dryden, Ontario. She moved to Winnipeg in 1957, met Martin Mazur, who predeceased her in 1977, and they had two cherished daughters, Linda and Debora. Jean loved to spend time outside tending her flower and vegetable gardens. She loved her trips to Lake of the Woods, especially fishing and would often venture off on blueberry and wild mushroom picking expeditions. She enjoyed travelling, and took many trips with family and friends to Los Cabos, the Mayan Riviera in Mexico, as well as an Alaskan cruise. She hit Vegas a few times; and visited Los Angeles where she attended a session of her favourite TV show, "The Price is Right". Jean was a kind and loving person who was deeply devoted to her family. She gave much of her time taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and continued to babysit up until the last few months of her life. Jean's greatest pleasure was spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed family and social gatherings and looked forward to cooking feasts for these special occasions. Jean was predeceased by her father Tony (1936); mother Mary (1955); brothers, John, Walter, Ralph, Louie; and sisters, Bernice (Patenaude), Mildred (Ross), Rose (Kilip) and Mary (Bechtel). Jean is survived by her brother Stanley; and daughters, Linda (Mitch), Debora (Robert); grandchildren, Jennifer, Valerie, Sabrina, Christopher and Madison; great-grandchildren, Jade, Michael, Andreas, Calvin, Colby, Kyra, Dorian and Samantha. She also had a very special bond with her nephews, Bernard, Ed, Stan, Dennis, Milton, Cye and their families. Mom was the sweetest and kindest person you would ever meet and always had a smile on her face. She managed to stubbornly live on her own till her 91st year and continued to cook and clean for herself, until she broke her hip. She will be missed, but never forgotten. Love you Mom, you were the best. We were so blessed to have had you in our lives. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses in the intensive care ward at Seven Oaks General Hospital and the staff on Floor 3. We would also like to thank the staff at Home Care and Dr. Douglas Henry. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, CE 501 - 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 18, 2015