Pauline (Lee) Whitney
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our Mom and Granny at the age of 97. She was predeceased by her husband Jim, her son Larry, and her daughter-in-law Sheila. Granny will be forever cherished by her son Jim, daughter-in-law Brenda, daughter-in-law Carol, grandchildren Kim, Kevin, Susan, Wayne, Neil, Lucia and Leila, and great-grandchildren Lauren (Joshua), Julia, Whitney, Brooke, Bryce (Brennan), Connor (Amy), Kierstin (Wyatt), Elisa, Anna and Domenic.
Pauline (Lee) Whitney (nee Ostapchuk) was born in Meleb, Manitoba on March 6, 1922 to Stefan and Amelia. Lee was one of twelve children, and was raised on the family farm. Lee attended school in a one room school house, and loved to learn. She aspired to be a teacher, but the realities of living on a farm in rural Manitoba in the ‘30’s made that dream impossible.
In her late teens, Lee moved to Winnipeg to help her sister out with her young family. She lived in the North End, and held a number of jobs, including one at a puffed wheat factory. One day, she spotted a fine fella sitting on his front steps, playing guitar. She was smitten. As she tells it “if he went for a walk, I went for a walk too. If he crossed the street, I crossed the street…I chased him til he caught me”. Jim Whitney did not stand a chance. They married very soon after meeting, on September 22, 1940. Their early years were not easy. Jim joined the army and was stationed in Saskatchewan. Lee was trying to manage with two small boys, Larry and Jim. Eventually, they all reunited in Winnipeg, where they lived in Morse Place. They built their home on Prince Rupert Avenue, where they spent many happy years raising their family. Lee and Jim were inseparable.
When the boys had grown and gotten married, Lee got a job at Woolworth’s Department store on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg. Her coworkers called her “Fearless Freddie” because she had no problem standing up to shoplifters and difficult customers. Lee often spoke of how she loved her time there.
In their retirement, Lee and Jim were very active grandparents, hosting their grandkids for sleepovers, taking them to the circus every year and attending events at their schools. They travelled around Europe and took an annual trip to Hawaii for many years. Lee also travelled to Cape Breton with Larry and Carol several times. She loved seeing new things and meeting new people.
Lee was “Granny” to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and most of the neighbourhood. She was a true caregiver…she loved children and animals, loved looking after people and making them feel special, and loved a good visit. Lee opened her home to everyone. She always had candies and baking stashed around for company, and went out of her way to make people feel welcome.
After Jim passed away, Lee moved in to the Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence. She made many friends there, participating in many of the activities and volunteering in the Tuck Shop. Lee spent her last few months at Concordia Place, where she enjoyed the care and companionship of the residence and the staff until her passing.
Lee was a kind, caring, engaged, hilarious woman who loved her family and loved her life. Even as her health declined in her later years, she would often remark how very lucky she was. She made sure the people she cared about knew how much she loved them and how much they meant to her. Lee was a pistol, and had a long life well lived. We are all better off for having had Lee in our lives, and we will miss her.
Expression of condolence may be sent to condolences@nbardal.mb.ca
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Pauline Lee Whitney Monday June 17th 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba