JENNY NAJDUCH

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JENNY NAJDUCH Surrounded by her family, Jenny Najduch passed away peacefully on April 7, 2017 at the Riverview Health Centre at the age of 87. Jenny was born October 4, 1929 in Vestrum, Sweden. She was the second child born to Johannes and Kristina Malmas. As an infant, Jenny's family and other members of the Gammalsvenskby village emigrated to Canada. Shortly after arriving in Wetaskawin, Alberta, Jenny's mother died from tuberculosis. In 1931, the group relocated to Meadows, Manitoba where descendants of the original settlers still farm today. In 1935 Jenny's father married Emma Hoas who joined the Malmas household and became mom to Jenny and Nels. The family later expanded to include seven more sisters. Jenny started school in 1935 at Meadows, in a one room school house. She moved to Winnipeg in 1945, eventually working at Eatons in a career that spanned decades. She met her husband to be, Walter, in 1949 while both were attendants at the wedding of mutual friends. Jenny and Walter married in 1951 and had over 51 wonderful years together, until Walter passed away in 2003. Jenny and Walter raised three children in their home on Evanson Street, David (Tina), Karen (Randy), and Aileen (Jimm). They later welcomed grandchildren, Christie (Tim) and Jordan (Melyssa) Skowronek, Michelle and James Najduch, Ceilidh Simon and great-grandchild Liam Murphy. In 1970, Jenny was reunited with her son Frank Brigham and was able to enjoy spending time with Frank, his wife Donna, their children Ian and Dawn, Ian's wife Joanne and their children, Julia and Lauren. The Evanson and later Oakview homes were regularly filled with family, friends and fun whether after church or for holiday gatherings. Jenny always ensured there was good food and baking for everyone and usually something extra to take home. In later years, Jenny spent her time visiting with extended family. She often visited the seniors centre to play cribbage and mahjong with the ladies. Jenny was predeceased by her parents; son Frank and sisters, Lennea, Sigrid and Esther. She is survived by brother Nels (Janet) and sisters, Signe, Alma, Elsie and Carol, as well as numerous members of her extended family. Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue. Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jenny's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9 or to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 600 Cambridge Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3M 3G9. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 15, 2017