Obituaries

CONNIE SMULLEN
(nee MC GRATH)
1944 – 2015

On Thursday, April 16, 2015 Connie Irene Norma Smullen (nee McGrath) passed away with her best friend and husband of 48 years, Bob Smullen at her side, who cherished her deeply. Connie was a devoted mother to Sheila Sachvie (David) and proud grandmother of their children Laura, Matthew and Mark. She was the first born child to her parents Irene and Norman McGrath.
Left to survive Connie are her sister Patricia Geske (Alan); brother Kenneth McGrath (Sheila McGuigan); niece Colleen Geske (Moses); nephew Kyle Geske (Shannon); sister-in-law June Clubb (Ron) and their family Roni Clubb (Craig), Cary Clubb (Julie), Chris Clubb (Karen); sister-in-law Roberta Coulter and her family Sharon Coulter (John) and Greg Coulter. Connie will also be missed by the ?The Irish Connection?, Bob?s cousins who are the descendants of the original three families that emigrated from Ireland: The Burns Family, The Lockhart Family, and the Smullen Family.
Connie attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate (DMCI), going on to graduate from The Winnipeg General Hospital (WGH) School of Nursing, as a Registered Nurse in 1966. She completed the Intensive Care Nursing designation also at WGH in 1968. She pursued the challenges of both Post Anaesthetic Recovery Room Nursing at The Health Sciences Centre and Grace Hospitals. Connie not only excelled at providing care and quality service to others through her nursing, she also had a strong interest in business and enjoyed engaging conversations. Her strong business sense led Connie to establish the Home Team business which she operated for seven years before selling, and then returned to Grace Hospital to help deliver the successful West Wing Expansion Project, integrating her business and nursing skills together.
Connie had a deep appreciation and love of arts, crafts and home d?cor. She was so creative and loved putting her special touch on all things, such as designing special floral arrangements or table center pieces for all occasions. Her creativity, attention to detail and innovative spirit showed itself through all of her many talents from great recipes, baking, sewing, knitting and watercolour painting. Connie also loved travelling, experienced some wonderful vacations, and following Bob?s retirement, settled in Clearwater, Florida for four winters.
Friendships were so special to Connie and she genuinely nurtured and connected with her friends throughout her life, always putting the needs of others first. She treasured her close relationships with Carol Johnson, Bev Laping, Pat Akizuki, and the Duncan twins – Bev Tinkler and Barbara MacInnes; those friendships flourished over 50 years. So many of her friend?s children affectionately referred to her as ?Auntie Connie?, as she loved them as family, always seeking to provide her care, nurturing and guidance. From the ?Grand Beach Breakfast Club? through to the ?Heart Smart Dinner Club?, Connie was blessed with friends from all walks of life and she cherished all the times shared together.
Connie loved being at the cottage at Matlock. She enjoyed the many dinners and gathering of friends at the big table in the veranda, where she could view and enjoy Bob?s rose garden. Connie?s love for fun and ideas for entertaining connected so many of their friends together. There are so many memories at Matlock and many special occasions were celebrated, including Bob and Connie?s 25th Wedding Anniversary.
When it came to her family, Connie considered them to be her greatest achievement. She was delighted and so proud of Sheila?s many accomplishments and her devotion to her family. Connie?s hopes are that her grandchildren Laura, Matthew and Mark will take to heart many of the old fashioned simple pleasures and values that Connie held dear – love of the beauty of our world, seeing value in everyone, enjoying the soothing and healthy benefits of cottage life, developing a love of travel and the lessons it teaches, experiencing the personal joy and benefits of hard work, knowing the gift of friends and the personal gratification it brings.
Many things will be missed ? Connie?s smile, her voice, her unique laugh, little things that made good times even better; her integrity, generosity and most of all, her care and love of our family and her friends.
A heartfelt thank you to Hugh and Juliette Smith and Eric and Carol Johnson for their special support during the time of Connie?s illness these past two years. The many hours spent visiting, trips in the car, dinners out, watercolor painting, and caring for Connie?s needs lifted her spirits and brightened her days. Our appreciation also for the care provided by the Riverview Palliative Care Unit this past week, including a special thank you for the care and compassion of nurses Arlene and Karen.
A Celebration of Life for Connie is planned for Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Boulevard @ Dieppe Road in Winnipeg with Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson presider.
Should friends so desire, donations can be made to a charity dear to your heart.
Wojcik?s Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik?s online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

The love of friends, the joy of birth,
The miracle of Mother Earth
Winter, summer, spring, and fall,
We thank the Lord she shared them all.