Obituaries

VIRGINIA ANN WICKLER

1935-2019

It is with heavy hearts the family of Virginia shares the news of her passing on February 16, 2019.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Ron Jr. (Susan), Kathy, Tony (Renee), Linda (Rick), and Dean; grandchildren Candace (Nick), Meagan (Brandon), Ashley, Jessica, Andrew, and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Madison and Aria; and her beloved cat Ling. She was predeceased by her parents Justyna and John Levandoski; husband Ronald; son Todd; and son-in-law Clinton Cobbett.

Virginia was born in Winnipeg. She was the youngest of eleven children and the last surviving child. Her work life started with a job delivering telegrams for the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Company. Virginia then joined her older sister in Vancouver where she found a position working in the Vancouver Hospital maternity ward. When she came home for another sister’s wedding, Virginia met Ronald and they started plans for a June wedding the following year. The couple had a very busy life, raising six children in the North End. Mom was a meticulous homemaker, a talented and creative cook (especially traditional dishes), and was proud of her attractive and comfortable home. Easter and Christmas were important family celebrations for Mom. She looked forward to gathering all her family around her.

She was a devoted and loving daughter, caring for her ailing Mother for many years and cooking and cleaning for her bachelor brothers. When her own children were older, Virginia was able to help several families with childcare needs, thinking of them as extended family. Mom loved young children and always wanted to be close to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of her greatest honors was to be present at the birth of her granddaughter Ashley and to be the one to “cut the cord”. In her later years she still had the company of her Siamese cats.

Virginia tried to be outdoors as much as possible. She loved camping and trailering with her family through the northern states and when the family was able to buy a trailer and spot at Gimli, she made the most of the summer months. Her outdoor activities included BBQing, flower gardening, and growing vegetables and fruit for preserving. As Mom became less mobile, her favorite pastimes included going for coffee each day, going to the movie theater, and watching home renovation shows on TV. She even acquired a vocabulary of building and renovating terms and gave decorating recommendations to her children.

Virginia was an active member of the Senior Achievers group and volunteered at many of their community activities. She made friends there, at the coffee shop, at the legion, and with her neighbours on the street, but Mom’s best friends were her family and husband Ronald. After his passing in May, Virginia missed her husband of 63 years very much.

Our hearts are heavy with sadness and we will forever cherish our memories of Mom.

Thank-you to the caring staff at Seven Oaks Hospital.  They tried many procedures to help Virginia. In keeping with Virginia’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held later in the year.