Obituaries

MAY ELIZABETH PANISIAK

Our beloved mother, wife, aunt and friend passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at the age of 88 years.

May Elizabeth Mattson was born in Winnipeg to Per Albin Mattson and Helga Kyllesdal Mattson. She grew up in the Scandinavian community that existed behind City Hall at the time.  She did well enough in school to be able to take time off to read to the children at the local Carnegie library on William Avenue (now the City of Winnipeg Archives). She got to return to the Carnegie Library during Doors Open Winnipeg and enjoyed showing her daughter where she read to the children.

May was a hard worker her whole life, beginning at age 12. She worked at Nutty Club and also did many waitressing gigs before and after her marriage. She married Alex Panisiak in 1955 and then moved to Tolstoi with him to help out with his parents. They returned to the city and she gave birth to her second child. The marriage did not work out and she raised her two children as a single mother.

She always put her children first, being sure that they were housed, clothed and fed. She stayed home until her daughter was twelve. She also was a Tupperware lady and Avon rep during the time they lived in East Kildonan. She was an excellent seamstress, having been trained at a tailoring shop and working at Labelle’s Bridal after that. When her daughter was old enough, she returned to school to get her grade 11 equivalency and then went to work part time at Sears Polo Park. She started on the sales floor, eventually moved to the china department, then worked at the new distribution center in Inkster Park. She became the receiver for Sears Western Canada after fighting for a chance to try out.

May did some travelling later in life: Minneapolis, Houston (where she got to dip her toes in the Gulf of Mexico), day trips, and a Bahamas cruise with her sister Ruth. She also loved going to Folklorama and attended for many years.

Her daughter had many “children of the heart” from her years as a nanny and when one of them had a son, Mom became a great grandmother or “uberbaba”. She considered this one of her great blessings.

May took her children to Westminster United Church every Sunday, then stopped in at her sister’s a few streets away for family time. Otherwise, they would go to Assiniboine Park and ride the train and go to the zoo. Mom attended Grey Street United for some years, then converted to the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in 2015. She enjoyed learning about the gospel and her importance to God and his Son. Her self-esteem rose because of those teachings and we know she is with them in heaven, with no worries or cares.

Mom had a great sense of humor and filled her home with music and laughter and her children enjoyed the benefits of her love of reading and most importantly, her unfailing unconditional love and forgiveness.

Predeceased by sisters Anna and Ruth, husbands Alex and David. Left to cherish her memory are daughter Cheryl, son Randy, adopted granddaughter Georgia and great grandson Arthur, adopted son Richard and numerous nieces and nephews as well as many work acquaintances and dear friends.

She was a prime example of service and was always willing to do what she could for someone else, putting their needs before hers. She leaves a legacy of wonderful memories, giggles and a heart as big as all outdoors. She blessed many by simply who she was, and her smile will linger in the hearts of those she left behind for a very long time.

Many thanks to all who assisted her in her last hours.

Cheryl wishes to express her thanks for all the love and support shown during this time.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Winnipeg Harvest, Siloam Mission or a charity of one’s choosing.

The last of the Mattson girls has come home. Rest in peace, beloved soul.