Obituary of JOSEPHINE ELENDIUK

JOSEPHINE ELENDIUK (nee Gaudes) It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Josephine Elendiuk, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the age of 90. She passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Misericordia Health Centre. Left to forever cherish Josephine’s memory are her two daughters: Diana (Edward Lusky) of Steinbach and Debra (Mario Nasuti) of Winnipeg; granddaughters Kimberly (Sheldon Stott), Kelly and Gina; great-grandsons Caleb and Noah; brother Victor Meder (Lynn); sister-in-law Marie Witiuk; numerous nieces and nephews and special note of long-time friend Olga Michayluk. She was predeceased by her beloved husband George (1976); parents Katherine (1976) and Jacob (1971); brothers Peter Gaudes 1994) and Frank Meder (2003); as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law. Josephine was born June 13,1921 in Winnipeg. She was the oldest of four and the only girl in a family of boys. She attended William Whyte and Isaac Newton Schools. She met the love of her life, George, at the Grand Beach Dance Hall and they were married on September 23, 1944 and together they raised two daughters. Josie and George shared a passion for the Blue Bombers and dancing and shared these until his passing in 1976. Josie enjoyed card parties, bingo nights, afternoon chats with girlfriends on the phone and knitting. She loved to host Sunday dinners and was famous for her homemade perogies. After the birth of her first granddaughter, Gramma Josie, as she was affectionately known, choose to retire so she could help look after her granddaughters until the girls began grade school. This special bond she formed with them as young children still stands stronger than ever to this day. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and the sparkle was added with the birth of her great-grandsons in recent years. As the matriarch of our family, she was a constant source of love and strength. She touched the lives of many people with her witty sense of humour and generosity. Her loving and compassionate nature will be greatly missed by her family and her friends. The family is at peace, knowing that Josephine is resting in the arms of her Lord Jesus Christ. She is celebrating in Heaven with family and friends who predeceased her. The family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate nurses, health care aides and staff at Misericordia Health Centre who cared for her and ensured her final days were as peaceful as possible. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 12:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. A private family interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery at a later date. Flowers are graciously declined. Donations can be made in Josephine’s memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 191 Lombard Avenue, Suite 1101, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0R3 or to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0R3.