It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Josie on April 19, 2020 age 86, at the St. Boniface Hospital with her husband Stan and daughter Wendy by her side.
Josie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her devoted husband Stan of 56 years, daughter Wendy Koekkoek, son-in-law Ron, and grandson Luke. Josie leaves to mourn her siblings, Sam (Joyce), Seena, Agnes, and Frank (Marge); she also leaves behind a number of cherished nieces and nephews.
Josie was predeceased by her parents Vincenzo and Ninfa, sisters Maria and Angeline; as well as her little furry friend, Bruno.
Josie was the person you could always rely on no matter what the circumstances. She made the good times even better and the hard times easier to bear. She was someone that anybody would have been lucky to have in their corner: honest, dependable, and fearless. We were incredibly lucky that we got to have her in our corner.
She was selfless, always prioritizing the happiness and wellbeing of others over herself. She always made sure everyone else was fed, comfortable, and happy, before herself. Every occasion was made memorable by her special touch and extra effort. She put bunny tracks in the snow when it was Easter, she and Stan dressed up at Halloween to scare the kids, and she arranged a pirate treasure hunt for her grandson’s birthday.
The thing Josie loved most in life was always her family. To her, family included everyone down to the family dog, Bruno, who would sit alongside her and watch the price is right. One of Josie’s favourite places to be was at the cottage she and her husband built at Lester Beach. She could often be found tending to her flower garden or sitting on the deck with a table full of food and conversation. Family and friends were always welcome. She was also proud of her time as a five-pin bowler in the Broadway mixed league. Josie was passionate about the Winnipeg Jets and never missed a game; she kept careful track of their season progress through a number of spreadsheets.
Josie also had a great sense of humor. She could make those who knew her laugh just from a look, expression or a story she shared.
Even though she is no longer here with us, we are all lucky that we had the privilege of knowing her, either as a mother, wife, sister, grandma, aunt, or friend: she took pride in all these roles and made an impact in so many lives. Her strength, humor, humility, kindness, generosity, and selflessness, will all be deeply missed by those she leaves behind. Josie will always live on through the warm memories and cherished moments remembered by those she touched.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in Josie’s memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2T5.
In keeping with Josie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.
Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same,
We have to hide our heartaches
When someone speaks your name.
Sad are the hearts that love you
Silent the tears that fall,
Living our lives without you
Is the hardest part of all
You did so many things for us
Your heart was kind and true,
And when we needed someone
We could always count on you.
The special years will not return
When we were all together,
But with the love within our hearts
You will walk with us forever.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Josephine Popel Sunday April 19th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba