Joan Pich
After a courageous battle with cancer, it is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan Pich on March 20, 2020 at Gimli Community Health Center with family by her side.
Joan is predeceased by her parents Tony and Minnie Dzuma. She was a loving wife and lifelong partner of Lawrence for 48 years, amazing mom of Cheryl (Kurt), Cindy (Tom), special gramma of Nevaeh, Monika and Aurora who meant the world to her, loving sister of Donna (Barry), and Linda. She will be deeply missed by her dog Sparkie, extended family and many friends she has made through the years.
Joan was born April 5, 1953 in Gimli Manitoba. She grew up on the family farm in Fraserwood before moving to Gimli. She met Lawrence and they married July 31, 1971. Joan worked at Saunders with Lawrence before eventually staying home and raising her 2 beautiful daughters.
Joan’s grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. She was dedicated in committing her time to them and had them over for many sleepovers which led to many memorable adventures. Joan enjoyed watching them grow up and was ever so proud of them in everything they accomplished.
Everyone who knew Joan, knew her strong passion for cooking which was her specialty. Any gathering our mom held you knew you were leaving with endless amounts of delicious Ukrainian food. Mom also took great pride in gardening. Her flower beds around her house always had an abundance of beautiful flowers and her vegetable gardens grew enough for her to be able to do lots of canning for her family every fall.
Joan also had a gift for music and loved playing her accordion, violin and guitar. She would practice new tunes in her basement endlessly to learn new songs and any family gathering we had, she would come with her instruments in tow turning our family get togethers into a polka party.
After Joan’s daughters were grown, Joan started cleaning houses for 20 years where she formed some long-lasting friendships with the many people she worked for. Every place she worked in she had a very special connection to those specific families and in her own words, they truly did become family to her.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Gimli Community Health Center for the care and comfort provided. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a private funeral service has been held at the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, Gimli, Mb with Father Harry Chuckry officiating. Interment was followed in the St. Basil’s (Rosolowich) Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at a later date.
Vichnaya Pam Yat
Condolences may be left on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.
Mother
You can only have one mother,
Loving, kind and true,
No other friend in all the world
Will be so true to you.
For all her love and kindness
She asked nothing in return.
If all the world deserted us
To our Mother we could turn.
For those of you who have a mother
Treasure her with care,
For you will never know her value
‘Til you see that she’s not there.
To hear her voice
To see her smile
To sit and talk with her awhile
To be together in the same old way
Would be our dearest wish today.
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