Obituary of CORA WIKEEM

On October 7, 2015 at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg Cora passed peacefully at the age of 98. Cora will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Sr. Susan Wikeem, SNJM, and by her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Mike and Annie Reddick, by her husband John, by her three siblings; Peter, Carrie and Lenore; and by all of her in-laws. Cora was born on September 19, 1917, in Portage la Prairie, where she grew up and attended school. Sadly, while she was still young, Cora lost both her father and older sister Carrie. After finishing school Cora moved to Winnipeg to find work. There she met John Wikeem, and after a four year courtship they married in 1942. Cora was warmly welcomed into the Wikeem home and family. When John served in the military Cora moved to Calgary where he was stationed. After John was discharged in 1945 they returned to Winnipeg where John went into the restaurant business. That same year they welcomed a daughter, Susan. In 1950 John and Cora purchased their first, and only house in Crescentwood. Cora loved her Warsaw Avenue home and her neighbours. She would live in that house for fifty-six years. Cora worked long hours in the restaurant alongside John until they retired in 1968. For the next twenty-two years they enjoyed retirement together. Cora’s days were filled with volunteering at Folklorama, the Church and the Convalescent Home, taking day trips with John, socializing with family, friends and neighbours. She loved going to Portage to visit her cousins. John and Cora also took two trips to Europe and Lebanon to visit John's family. After John died suddenly in 1990 Cora became a charter member of the "Warsaw widows" group, long-time neighbours who provided support and companionship to each other. When her health began to fail Cora moved first to Villa Cabrini in 2006 and then to the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg in 2010. Cora was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister and aunt. Her family and friends will remember her as a great cook, a kind, generous person, and a fun lady who loved a good laugh. In the last few years, when life became difficult, she retained her sense of humour and did not complain. Thank you to the staff of the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for the excellent, compassionate care given to Cora in her final years. And thank you to all the nieces and nephews for the love and support for Aunt Cora, especially Gerry, Jack and Judy, Gord and Corrine, and their families for all the visits. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford St. on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Academy Foundation Bursary Fund, or to the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, or to a charity of your choice.