Obituary of JULIANNA NYIRI

JULIANNA NYIRI (NEE BARABAS) Peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Julia Nyiri passed away at the Heritage Lodge, Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 87 years. At her bedside was her daughter, Liz. Julia was born on October 28, 1929 in Gyertyimas, Romania. On November 10, 1951 she married Imre Nyiri. They had four children born in Hungary, Imre (1952), Liz (1953), Laszlo (1954) & Juliana (1956). In November 1956, they left Hungary and arrived in Winnipeg where their first home was on Carlton Street. In 1962, Esther was born. Shortly after, they moved to their home on Pacific Avenue. Julia loved her family very much and enjoyed cooking traditional Hungarian dishes for them. We all remember the Sunday dinners growing up when the entire family would gather each week and one can never forget all the Easter bread she used to make and share with us all. She was immensely proud when her grandchildren were born. Chris (1972), Robbie (1974), Teresa (1974), Katrina (1976), Imre III (1977), Stephen (1983) Bradley (1988) and Mandy (1991). Later she was blessed with twelve great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. It was very important to Nagymama that she introduced the Hungarian culture to all her grandchildren, which included the language, music, food and stories of Hungary. She also taught her family how to play the Hungarian card game, Snapser, which we all have fond memories playing with her. Julia’s faith was very important to her. She was an active member of the St Anthony of Padua Hungarian Roman Catholic Church and was a life time member of the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Center making dear friends in both. She enjoyed volunteering for Folklorama as she was very proud of her Hungarian Heritage until health issues prevented her from doing so. As she missed her home land and family back in Hungary, she was blessed to being able to travel back there many times as it was very important to stay in contact with them. Julia was a very friendly person and found it very easy to speak to anyone she met. Julia is survived by her son Imre (Natalia) Nyiri of Winnipeg, two daughters, Liz (Imre) Naphegyi of Winnipeg, Esther (Rob) Nesbitt of Swan River and son-in-law, Chris Morys (fiancé Lois Gill) of Chestermere, eight grandchildren, Christopher (Bridget) Peterson, Teresa Byrne, Robert Nash, Katrina (Christopher) Spokes, Imre Nyiri III (Gelsomina), Bradley Nesbitt (fiance Christina Forbes), Mandy (Bradley) Alford, Stephen (Star) Nap, twelve great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Constance Peterson, Joshua, Dylan and Mason Byrne, Kaidence and Kenzie Spokes, Imre IV and Gabriella Nyiri, Rafael, Santiago and Sebastien Nap and one great-great grandchild, Liam Peterson and numerous family members living in Hungary. Julia was predeceased by her husband, Imre Nyiri, infant son, Laszlo Nyiri and daughter Julianna Morys. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Christopher Peterson, Robert Nash, Imre Nyiri III, Bradley Nesbitt, Christopher Spokes and Bradley Alford (honorary pallbearer Stephen Nap). Anyu/Nagymama szeretlek - we love you and will miss you. Prayers will be held on Sunday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 10 at 1:00 p.m. at St Anthony of Padua Hungarian Church, 365 Burnell St. Interment to follow in Assumption Cemetery.