Sophie Grochowich

Sophie Grochowich

Peacefully, with family by her side, Sophie aged 99 years, passed away on January 1, 2020 at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Frances and son-in-law Peter Skazyk (Allan, Gregory, Edward); son Patrick Grochowich (Angela, Jillian, Sandra and Paul); brother Frank Bannish (Verna); step-son Steve Grochowich (Dale, Debbie and Penny); step-grandchildren Karen, Kristine, Garry, Ken, Larry, Janice, Crystal and Carrie; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Sophie was predeceased by her husband, John; sister Nellie; brothers Jim, Ed and Andrew; step-children Bernice, Walter and Stanley; daughters-in-law Joanne, Loretta and Fran.

Sophie was born to Peter and Annie Bannish on September 19, 1920 in the Cloverdale area. As a young girl, she worked on a dairy farm milking cows and washing milk bottles, then when John Grochowich’s wife Ann was ill with cancer, she took the job of caring for his four children aged 2, 4, 6 and 8. She loved the children and they loved her. After Ann died, she and John got married and had two children, Frances and Patrick. They were married for 59 years. John died in 1996.

Sophie was a hard working and fiercely independent lady. In the winter she would knit and crochet beautiful afghans to give to her children and grandchildren. In the summer she loved the outdoors and gardening. She was known as the gladiola lady for growing and selling prize-winning gladiolas.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Selkirk, MB with viewing prior to Mass.

Memorial donations in honour of Sophie may be made to Notre Dame Church or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sophie Grochowich, please visit our floral store.