Obituaries

BEATRICE FEDIUK

(nee Hamel)

October 22, 1927-February 12, 2022

Dear Lord,

Please accept my application for Eternal Life.  My resumé is as follows:

Objectives:

To be honest and compassionate; to treat everyone with respect; to demonstrate integrity in all I do, and to live as independently as possible, as long as possible.

References:

I was born in Fannystelle to loving parents Eugenie (Painchaud) and Alfred Hamel, who already had 6 other children:  Aime (Juliette), Blanche (Peter), John (Gladys), Vincent (aka Bill) (Mae), Martin and Flore (Hjalmer). They, along with my nephew Guy, and my husband John are already with you in Heaven and can provide references for me.

I have left my daughter Michelle, her husband Perry, my granddaughter Kali, my sister-in-law Simone and many nieces and nephews on earth, as there are no openings for them in Heaven just yet.

Training:

I completed my elementary education in Fannystelle, and high school at St. Mary’s Academy, as a boarder.  I went on to obtain my teaching certificate at Normal School and began my career working with children in 1948; first in Swan Lake, then in Tyndall.  It was there that I met the love of my life, John, and we were married in June 1951. Our one and only daughter, Michelle was born 11 years later.

Experience:

We settled in Winnipeg, where I held teaching positions in Tuxedo, River Heights, then Aberdeen, Sargent Park, Earl Grey and La Verendrye.  Lord, you know that I never had any “teacher’s pets”, for gifted children already have a greater chance of success.  Rather, I put my heart into teaching those with learning challenges, or difficult family situations. It was here that I feel I did my best work.

Volunteer Work:

Throughout my life, I volunteered at St. Ignatius Parish as well as with the Manitoba Music Festival.  After retiring, I continued to volunteer with children who needed extra help and was known as “Aunty Bea” in St. Ignatius and Rockwood, as well as Central Middle School in Weslaco Texas.

When it was discovered that our granddaughter had an intellectual disability, I redirected my efforts to educating myself about her diagnosis, so I could support her in achieving her goals. I loved to cheer her on at soccer games and curling and travelled out of province to watch her synchronized swimming competitions. Our “penny walks” and rides on the Prairie Dog Central are treasured memories.  And Lord, she taught me more about what is important in life than I ever taught her.

Hobbies:

Over the years, I cared for many fur babies, including Bozo, Bimbo, and Bijou I and II. I was grandma to Nanuq and great grandma to Epi.

I loved to travel and made trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, and California with my family.  John and I were “Winter Texans” for over 10 years and enjoyed socializing with friends and family in Magic Valley.

In addition, I knitted scarves for underprivileged children and Prayer shawls for the sick and dying.  I loved to read and continued to do so until my eyesight gave out.  My body began to fail me as well, but Lord, I know that when You close a door, You open a window. That window was my opportunity to attend the Charleswood Day Program and Riverview Day Hospital, where I met and made many new friends.

Additional Information:

At last, I had to face my greatest fear – the loss of my independence – and in February 2021 I moved to Tuxedo Villa Personal Care Home. Thankfully, I had an amazing group of caregivers on Station 2, who kept me safe from COVID-19, as it ravaged the facility and the world.  I would ask You to bless all the staff on Station 2, Lord, especially “Windex”, Rosie, Barry, and Bryce, as they made sure my last days were as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

Lord, I hope that you will find that I have met my Objectives and deserve a place in Your heavenly home.  You know where to find me to further discuss my qualifications.

To my friends and family still on Earth, please consider a donation to one of my favourite charities, so they can continue helping those I cherish: Children’s Wish Foundation, Special Olympics Manitoba, Manitoba Harvest, or the Winnipeg Humane Society.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Ignatius Parish at 1:30 p.m. Saturday Feb 19^th.  A private internment of her cremains will be held at a later date.

The link to livestream is: https://youtu.be/HmIf0qbw5-8