HILDEGARDE EVANGELINE HANDZIUK (née Braun)
July 24, 1922 – December 7, 2020
The family of Hildegarde Evangeline Handziuk (née Braun) is saddened to announce her passing on December 7, 2020, at the age of 98 years. Surrounded by family, Hilda passed in the comfort of her daughter’s home.
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and loyal friend will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Joyce, Beverly (Reg), and Deborah; son Gordon (Kristen); 22 grandchildren; and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, and friends. Hilda was predeceased by her husband Charles (1993); three sons, John (1974), Gerald (2012), and Roy (2012); and two daughters-in-law, Cindy (2002) and Nancy (2018).
Born in Tiegenhagen, Russia, Mom immigrated to Canada with her parents and younger sister in November of 1925. Her family settled in the St. Elizabeth area of Manitoba where her parents, eight sisters, and two brothers grew up. Throughout the years the family farm was host to many gatherings with the last Braun reunion in 2016. Mom left the farm in the 1940’s spending a short time in Ontario and then moving to Winnipeg. Here she met her forever love, Charles, and they married in 1950. Together, with John, Roy and Joyce, Dad’s three young children from his previous marriage, they created an instant family. Their family continued to grow, and soon had four children together: Gerald, Beverly, Gordon, and Deborah.
Growing up, Mom took great pride in her family, caring for us and our home while Dad ran the family business. Her favourite times with Dad were spent visiting with friends and family, impromptu long drives, and road trips out west and throughout the US. In the 1980’s she ventured to Egypt, Israel and Greece; a trip that had a lasting impact on her. She was a perfectionist which showed in all she did whether it was her penmanship; immaculate sewing, stitchwork, and embroidery; paintings; photography; and her flowers and garden that she tended to with absolute love. She was always stylish and well-dressed from head to toe, making sure we were as well.
Mom lived by a quiet, strong, and private faith joining the Grey Street United Church in 1950, where she remained a committed member for 70 years. She was a member of the UCW, taught Sunday School, created many hand-stitched banners for the sanctuary, participated in organizing many events, and was a life-long friend to many, always taking time to greet people and welcome a newcomer. She touched the lives of many through her heartfelt messages sent to those in their time of need. Her desire to support community extended to many other areas whether it be school committees, community programs, or fundraisers. She was there.
She was fiercely independent, strong willed, thoughtful, and generous, with a hint of mischievousness. Nothing was of greater value than family, friends, and her faith and this was evident throughout her life.
In the last few years as Mom’s health declined, she struggled with the gradual loss of her independence and ability to do things on her own. She never saw asking for help as an option so instead, those around her quietly stepped in and with their support, she was able to remain living in her home which was so important to her. A very warm thanks to the many members of the church who were there to support her with a special thank you to Cathy and Gladys; to Karen for being there every day to check on her and say hi; to Lorraine and Lisa, her homecare workers; and to Dr. Mehta who was her physician for 47 years and provided care like no other. It takes a village, no matter how old we are.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private funeral service is planned for Monday December 14, 2020 at 1:00 with the internment to follow at Green Acres Cemetery. The service and interment will be livestreamed and can be viewed at: www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/8643
The service will be available for 60 days on Hilda’s memorial page at www.friendsfs.ca where friends and family are also invited to share condolences.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grey Street United Church, 651 Sandhurst Ave, Wpg, MB, R2L 1B1, Memorial Fund.
You left us beautiful memories,
your love is still our guide,
although we cannot see you,
you’re always at our side.
Memorial service livestream:
www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/8643
Interment livestream:
www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/8645
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hildegarde Evangeline Handziuk Monday December 7th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba