Obituaries

ESTHER KOZYRA(nee GOOLEY)
    It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Mother and Grandmother. On Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Esther passed away peacefully at her residence at the age of 84 years.   Esther will be deeply missed by her daughter, Debbie Kozyra; daughters-in-law, Joyce and Valerie Kozyra; Baba will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Krystyna Kozyra and Danielle Fleury, David (Krista), Lynn, Aaron (Erin-Brie), and Michelle (Demetri) Kozyra; great-grandchildren Sidney, Annabelle, Nolan, Ashton, Jordyn, and Finley Kozyra; sisters Pat (Peter) Yablonski, Ruth (Stan) Wityshyn; brother Art (Joan) Gooley; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family members. She was predeceased by her husband, Stanley Kozyra; sons David and Leonard; her parents Ed and Helen Gooley and her father and mother-in-law Joseph and Minnie Kozyra.   On April 8, 1932 Esther was born and raised in Foley, MB. She was swept off her feet at Crabby Steve’s barn dance by Stanley Kozyra, who became her husband of 50 plus years. Esther was a soft spoken, gentle, peace-loving soul. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, wife, aunt, and friend. Esther was the perfect role model and she proved that hard work and love pays off. Her favourite pastimes included playing cards, seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, listening to music, and laughing. Baba taught us all the true meaning of kindness and generosity and also to love unconditionally with intensity. The most important thing in her life was her family, she gave them unconditional love and her door was always open to each and every one of us.   Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, 5th Avenue S.E. Teulon, MB. For those who wish, viewing will be held at 10:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Interment will follow in Windsor Cemetery. A luncheon will be held after at Gunton Greenwood Memorial Hall. Pallbearers will be Glenn Marmonier, John Kostiuk, Robert Kostiuk, Brian Yablonski, Ronny Spakowski, and Ken Guttormson. Honorary pallbearers are Baba’s six grandchildren, Krystyna, Danielle, Lynn, David, Aaron, and Michelle; and her six great-grandchildren, Sidney, Annabelle, Nolan, Ashton, Jordyn and Finley.   In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so desire, donations may be made in Esther’s memory to the Rockwood Festival of the Arts, online at www.rfota.ca, or mailed to RFOTA at P.O. Box 76 Teulon, MB R0C 3B0.   Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, 204.586.8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com 
“Your bright light will always shine in the memory of everyone you touched.
We love you and we will miss you.”