KRISTJANA (JANA) CAROLYN DICKSON (SIGURDSON)

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KRISTJANA (JANA) CAROLYN DICKSON (nee SIGURDSON) Peacefully on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Concordia Hospital, Jana passed away with family and loved ones by her side. Born in Winnipeg September 15, 1951, the only child to Jon and Maria (Jonasson) Sigurdson. Jana was named for her maternal Amma and grew up on the farm at Silver Bay, which was named by her maternal Afi Bjorn Th. Jonasson in 1908. She treasured her Icelandic heritage and rural roots. She was a wealth of knowledge on family history and could recall ancestor's names and important dates. She attended the one room Silver Bay School until it closed in 1964, completed high school in Ashern and went on to the University of Winnipeg. Jana met her husband Gary on a blind date in The Pas and wed September 12, 1970 in Ashern. They were happily married for 47 years and resided in Winnipeg where they raised two devoted sons and many cats. From 1972 to 1975 Jana worked with Gary on archaeological projects on the shores of Southern Indian Lake in northern Manitoba. They endured the joy and hardship of living in a tent for months in an isolated camp with minimal contact with family and friends. She was den mother to the young crew although she was similar in age. She made many new friends and valued her relationships with the wonderful, proud Indigenous residents of South Indian Lake. Jana and Gary moved to their current home in Norwood Flats in 1985 where she was very involved with the community and made many lifelong friends. She was a loving, caring stay-at-home mom to her sons, for whom she always baked elaborate childhood birthday cakes, and as a babysitter to many of the neighbourhood children, whom she loved dearly. Later Jana worked in the health food industry at Sears, Health Depot, Marvellous Muscles and Sunrise Health Foods, where she met and befriended many colleagues and customers. She cared deeply for her customers, often going out of her way to deliver their orders. Ill health compelled her retirement in 2015. An avid reader, she read voraciously often reading the end of the book first to ensure that the book was worth the read. Jana and Gary traveled to Mexico several times, often taking one suitcase just for her books. Her favourite trip was the family vacation in 2002 to the Mayan Riviera. Jana always encouraged the importance of a sense of humour which was evident in her annual Christmas letter that was sure to leave you laughing. She was known for her quick wit and sharp retorts. Her family and friends love that this trait defined her right up until the end. Jana was predeceased by her parents Jon (1987) and Maria (2000). Left to cherish her memory are husband Gary Dickson; sons, Erik (Kim) and Andrew; grandchildren, Evelyn and Nathan. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved being an Amma and spending time with the kids reading stories, doing puzzles and playing games. She meant so much to so many people and her incredible spirit will live on through each and every one of them, enduring. As per her wishes a celebration of Kristjana's life will be held when her peonies are in bloom next spring, for family and friends to honour her memory. Our deepest thanks to the ICU staff and doctors at Concordia Hospital and personally to nurses Kristin and Jackie for their kind and gentle care. In lieu of flowers we kindly ask that you make a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society or a charity of your choice in her memoriam. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, 204.586.8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 18, 2017