Obituary of EMILY (“NANA”) HOWARDS

EMILY (“NANA”) HOWARDS (nee Valenta) It is with heavy hearts our family announces the peaceful passing of Emily Howards at St. Joseph’s Residence in Winnipeg, Monday, March 14, 2016 at the age of 104 years. Emily was predeceased by her devoted son Ted in 2015, her father Frank Valenta, mother Anna Hajny, brothers, Henry (Mary), Emil (Sophie), nieces Dolly, Lil (Ron). Emily will be lovingly remembered by her daughter-in-law Gloria, grandchildren Tom (Sheila), Jennifer, nieces Virginia, Elaine (Steve), and Karen as well as Ed Starsiak (Dolly) along with extended family, friends and recent companion Marsha Landsborough. Born on February 25, 1912 in Manhattan, New York, Emily was the daughter of Czechoslovakian immigrants Frank and Anna Valenta. She spent her first 10 years in New York where after she immigrated to Canada with her mother and brother initially to a farm near Meleb, MB then a subsequent homestead near Mather, MB. After several years of rural life, her next residence would take her to Winnipeg where she would it call home for the rest of her life. Highlights of her working career included fond memories of Biddy’s Tea Room as well as a seamstress for Stall’s Mfg. for over 30 years. A great believer of family values, Nana took tremendous pride in caring for her son, mother, 2 brothers and extended family as well as her numerous family pets over the years. She had many friends throughout Canada and the USA whom she spoke of fondly even up until her final few years. Her personality, smile and generosity were among the many attributes that people would gravitate toward. She especially loved hosting Christmas and Easter dinners which are still talked about by her family to this day. Her long life afforded her the ability to share many of her life experiences with others. Nana was able to tell a story of long past events with great detail and character thus was a teacher in her own right. Stories of “hard times” and “making do with what you had” were especially remembered by those who knew her. Nana enjoyed traveling whenever the opportunity arose. Memories include trips to California, BC as well as the too numerous to count shopping trips to Grand Forks, ND! Nana’s appreciation for the outdoors went hand in hand for her love of gardening as well as berry picking. For her, a day spent picking wild plums was as much of a social event spending an afternoon in the sun with those who shared similar interests as it was for collecting fruit for homemade jams or jellies. One of Nana’s greatest pleasures was her hobby of cooking and baking. She was never afraid to try a different recipe and was the owner of one of the largest cookbook libraries known to her family and friends. Her culinary savvy was appreciated by all; it seemed she always had a “secret” ingredient or technique which she was not always so quick to share (lemon snow dessert)! Special gratitude is extended to the staff of St. Joseph’s Residence for their genuine care and friendship they gave our Nana in her final years. As per Emily’s wishes, cremation has taken place with a private family interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may choose to make donations in Nana’s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society (45 Hurst Way Wpg, MB R3T 0R3; www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca)as this was a cause very dear to her.