IONA VAREY
March 19, 1924 - March 14, 2015
IONA MAY VAREY
(nee HENDERSON)
1924 – 2015
With sad hearts and wonderful memories, Iona’s family announces the news of her passing. Iona left us peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Seven Oaks Hospital.
Left to mourn Iona’s passing are her daughters, Carolyn Pullano (Richard) and Marlene Kroeker (Eldon); grandchildren, Clint Filteau (Connie), Ryan Filteau (Vedrana), Melanie MacIver (Dave), Donovan Kroeker (Shannon), Aaron Kroeker and Rachael Kroeker (Dan Fisher); her five great-grandchildren, Zoe and Finley Kroeker, Chloe and Ari MacIver and Jack Filteau; as well as her brother-in-law Cal Varey (Evelyn). She was predeceased by her beloved husband William (Bill) in 2011.
Iona and Bill’s marriage and life together was an inspiration to all who knew them. Mom and Dad lived in St. Vital all their lives and were both longtime members of Regents Park Church (now St. Mary’s Road Church). After Dad’s passing, Mom joined Meadowood United Church. Onie loved to sing, and was an active member in several different choirs, the last as a resident at Dakota House. Never one to turn down an opportunity to sing, she would regularly lead everyone in a song at family birthdays and weddings. She spoke fondly of her working years at The Bay downtown and the Tribune, and enjoyed all of her years spent outdoors in the yard, at Booster Lake, or at Bill’s family farm near Dominion City. Mom loved being active and was an avid walker, card player, and fast-friend to many up to the end of her life.
A Celebration of Life for Iona will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in Meadowood United Church, 1111 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Her family thanks Gail Will for her faithful Sunday visits to Mom; Iona’s two angels for their compassionate nursing care; and thanks to the wonderful staff on Five at Seven Oaks Hospital. Special thanks to the Palliative Care team for their support and knowledge.
Donations in Iona?s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0R3, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 0K6, will be gratefully appreciated.
Iona’s family will greatly miss her fast wit, wonderful smile, and endless love and support. Iona requested that the following message be passed on after her, to all of her family and friends:
Good bye my family
My life has past
I loved you to the very last
Weep not for me
But courage take
Love each other for my sake
For those who love you
Don’t go away
They walk beside you every day
Wojcik?s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 1020 Main Street, Winnipeg, 204.586.8668, in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com