Peacefully, after suffering a stroke, mom passed away on June 5th, 2020 at the grand age of 100 years old.
She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Joe Chopp (1978), her parents Joe and Mary Galka, her son Leonard (2019), daughter-in-law Donna (2001) siblings John, Stanley, Edward, Anton, Helen and Sophie. She leaves to mourn her children Bob (Laura), Vernie (Fred), Ken (Rose), Joey, Gary (Jean) daughter-in-law Blanche, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
Vicky was born in Melrose, MB on June 1st, 1920. She went to school in Melrose where she was an outstanding student, a fact she liked to remind us all on numerous occasions. Upon completion of schooling, Vicky worked in Winnipeg until she married Joe Chopp on May 4th, 1940. Together they moved to Anola and spent many years hard at work on their mixed farm. In the summer months they cultivated a market garden where they sold their harvests of cucumbers, potatoes, and cabbage as well as fresh eggs to members of the community.
Vicky wasn’t just a vegetable gardener, she loved her flowers, which she grew from seed in her greenhouse. Her green thumb was evident by the blooming African violets that adorned her window sills and the beautiful blooms in her gardens. She was a skilled seamstress, making her own dresses and mending many pairs of pants. She made feather duvets, knitted scarves and mitts, crocheted doilies and darned socks as a pastime.
Vicky had a love and a wonderful skillset for cooking. As a member of Anola Community Caterers she created many delicious memories for countless weddings and banquets in Anola and the surrounding areas. She was known for her cabbage rolls, pierogi and piroshky which she turned into a thriving business that saw her products travel to as faraway places as Chicago and Hawaii. For many years you would find her staying up all hours of the night rolling dough to fill orders, especially during Christmas.
Holidays like Easter and Christmas were special times for our family. Everything always had to be fresh and from scratch. It was never a surprise to find her making items as we came in the door. No dinner was complete until she pulled out the roaster of the most tender butter roasted pierogi and her air buns with homemade butter. Meals always finished with multiple homemade desserts.
While she worked hard, she found time to enjoy playing bingo, doing word searches and playing cards with family and friends. Many family gatherings ended in a late night poker match and maybe a shot or two, especially when family came to visit from Chicago. She liked to travel and enjoyed her holidays in Hawaii, Mexico, Montreal and a road trip through Western Canada. In her younger years she was athletic and very competitive. She curled in Hazelridge for many years and was a member of the Anola Broomball Team. She enjoyed watching her grand and great-grand sons play hockey. She was a Jets fan.
Sundays were for church. She loved gospel and country music. Coming home after church she’d tune into Portage radio to hear the Sunday Gospel hour. Vicky attributed her long life to saying her prayers twice a day without fail. If she forgot she would get up out of bed and say them. On bad days she might even say them three times.
With the hard work, companionship and care of her son Joey, Mom was able to stay active in the daily operations of the farm right up until the age of 95. She spent her final years in the outstanding care and compassion of the staff at Kin Place until June 5th, 2020.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Kin Place at PO Box 28, 680 Pine Drive, Oakbank, MB R5N 0P8.
Due to Covid-19, a private family service was held at Seasons Funeral Service.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Victoria Chopp Friday June 5th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba