DELORES HELEN GAMMELSETER

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DELORES HELEN GAMMELSETER (nee SCHELLENBERG) It is with great sadness our family announces the peaceful passing of Delores, wife, mother, sister and grandmother, at the age of 68. Delores was predeceased by her parents Peter and Mary Schellenberg of Rosenfeld, MB, brother Leonard Schellenberg, and his first wife Joyce of Winnipeg (Leonard is survived by his second wife Ann Marie Schellenberg of Abbotsford, BC), father-in-law Ralph Gammelseter, mother-in-law Ruth Gammelseter of Winnipeg, and sister-in-law Christine Schaak (nee Gammelseter) of Kamloops, BC. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Ralph, daughter Meladee (Chris) of Toronto and their children Andy and Maggie, daughter Allison (Ryan) and their children Jayda and Jackson, along with Delores' siblings Verna (Abe), Edgar (Marge) of Altona, Esther (Ben), Leona (John) of Carman, Sandi (Don), Arlene (Les), sisters and brothers-in-law Ellen (Terry), Robert (Diane), and Maureen (Al), 21 nieces and nephews, 30 great-nieces and nephews, and one great-great-nephew, as well as many cousins and friends. Delores was born on June 24, 1948, in Altona, MB. Her childhood was spent growing up in Rosenfeld, MB, and the Amsterdam school district between Rosenfeld and Altona on a farm. She began her schooling in a one room schoolhouse that included kindergarten to grade nine. She moved on to graduate high school at W.C. Miller Collegiate in Altona. Delores was the first person in her family to attend and complete university at the University of Manitoba and earned her teaching degree. Her teaching career began in Rosenfeld, moved to Steinbach, then led to substitute teaching in Winnipeg. Delores met her husband Ralph, in July of 1971. After a short courtship, Ralph traveled to Rosenfeld to request from her parents her hand in marriage. They gave their blessing and Ralph and Delores were married March 11, 1972. Their first child, Meladee, was born on November 19, 1974, followed three and a half years later by their second child, Allison, who was born on June 23, 1978. They purchased their first house in Fort Rouge, then moved to their current home in River Heights a few years later. After Allison was born, Delores returned to work at a Mini-School before changing careers when she later accepted a position as a receptionist in a doctor's office. She shook things up again when she became a residential property manager, and finally a commercial property manager when she was appointed building manager of the Medical Arts Building for 17 years, retiring from there in 2016. Delores was an insatiable reader. She devoured any books she could get her hands on, but Danielle Steele was her favourite author. She also loved to garden and had a beautiful yard that she designed, created and enjoyed. Delores was afflicted with breast cancer but it was caught early and she beat it. She was a beautiful singer and joined her first singing group of other survivors called The Lymph Notes. The following year, she joined The Assiniboine Chorus of the Sweet Adeline's. In 2015, Delores and a small group of ladies, branched off and formed their own ensemble called True Harmony. She began singing soprano but quickly realized baritone was where it's at. Near the end of her life, her singing group performed for her twice in the chapel at St. Boniface Hospital. Even though she couldn't stand up on stage with them, she still sang along and danced a little. She sang her part perfectly and even remembered all the words. The light of Delores' life were her grandchildren. She spent every spare moment with them and doted on them like a good "Dee Dee" should. Jayda loved to sing with her and Jackson loved to play basketball with her. They adored her and have many wonderful memories to carry with them throughout their lives. The family would like to thank all the staff at St. Boniface Hospital in the Gyne ward, 6th floor West and also the Palliative Care ward on the 8th floor. Thank you also to Dr. Altman, Dr. Kean, Dr. Dean, and all of the staff at CancerCare for their kindness and support. A very special thank you to Delores' younger sister, Arlene McLaughlin, for her tireless efforts, care and help with Delores while Ralph was in the hospital with his own host of medical issues. She could be counted on for anything and everything. We are grateful. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a cancer charity of your choice or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Public viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Holiday Inn South, 1330 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB. "If there ever comes a day where we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." - Winnie the Pooh For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2017