Obituary of Natalia Stepien

Natalia Stepien April 26, 1924 - January 24, 2011 Having just received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and surrounded by her children, Mom peacefully left this world to begin life in her Eternal home. She joins her beloved Stanley "Bobczyk" (1993), her son-in-law Ken White (1984) and her grandson Jeff White (2006). Mom is survived by her daughters Teri White; Lucy and George Beckta; Helen and Norman Byman; and sons Stephen and Kim; Peter and Rochelle. Her legacy includes 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Two additional great-grandbabies will no doubt be kissed by "KooKoo" grandma before their arrival in the coming months. Mom was born in Kharkov, Russia. Her life-altering moment came when at age 18 she was taken from her home by the German military to work in their war effort. She met Dad (Czestochowa, Poland) while working in a munitions factory. She spoke no Polish, he no Russian but speaking the language of love, they set their eyes and hearts on each other. Slowly, over time we learned the story of their hardships of living in a detention camp. Teri and Lucy immigrated to Canada with Mom in February, 1949 to join Dad who had come some nine months earlier. Leaving their old life behind they set out as a couple to create a new life for themselves and their growing family. They embraced Canada as their new home and regarded each one they met as their new family. Although Mom was primarily involved in the care of her home and children, she was above all else a partner in all of Dad's endeavours. In 1967, they established International Fur Dressers and Dyers. Even while she was in the nursing home she proudly passed out her business card noting herself as "President". Mom was a long standing member of St. Alphonsus Parish, during which time she enjoyed the company of the ladies of her Church Circle. After we were grown up and gone from home, Mom went back to school to "learn" to read and write in English, having already mastered those skills in Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish. She purchased revenue properties and oversaw every detail of their upkeep. Each of us will remember Natalia, Natalie, Nettie, in our own way. She was smart, glamourous, kind-hearted, strong-willed, organized and hard working. Mom had a phenomenal memory for birth dates and recalled minute details about everything else! She was passionate about her collections of coins, decorator plates, dolls, stamps, license plates, matchbooks, photographs, and greeting cards. Her home was adorned with religious icons, family photographs, and a myriad of "tchotchkes". Back in the day, she was known for her "Up-do" hairdos, manicured nails and flashy clothes. She loved the ballet, and listening to opera music. Mom was known for her perogies, cabbage rolls, bountiful garden and her signature cherry tarts that graced many a bridal shower or funeral. A chapter in our family story has ended but each of us carry so many of the traits of both of our parents that we take those qualities, along with countless memories, to help us carry on without them. We are so grateful to Br. Jorge Villegas OFM Cap. for his final blessing and his presiding at the service; Dr. K.S. Jolly, her long-time physician; River East and the Maples Personal Care homes, for their tender care of Mom over the last two years. Please join us for a Celebration of Natalia's life at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. The Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jason White; Paul Stepien; Erik and Christopher Byman; Pete and Matthew Stepien and honourary pallbearer, Jeff White (posthumously). In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, can be made to the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Heart and Stroke, CancerCare Manitoba, or any charity supporting children or the underprivileged.