Obituary of BARBARA C. FILUK

Barbara C. Filuk (Holland)

April 7, 1939 - September 16, 2018

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Barbara (Barb) Filuk. Barb was born in Winnipeg and was predeceased by her parents William Emrys and Margaret Holland. 

Mom/Nana will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her adoring children Blair (Karli Whittam), Shauna (Tim Scott), Alison (James MacKay), their father, Robert Filuk and her six cherished grandchildren: Elise, Brett, Simon, Adam, Samantha and Jack.  

Barb was also a loving sister to Marilyn (Dale), an aunt to Christine & Erik, a special niece to Aunt Mimi and Uncle Bill, and a close cousin to their children Gary (Wendy) and Grant (Kelle) along with their families. 

Barb will be best remembered by those who knew and loved her for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, kind heart and her positive outlook on life. These are just a few of her memorable traits that Barb’s friends will miss and remember fondly. Barb’s friends hail from all over the globe. To name just a few there are the "Beavers", the Steel Magnolias, the Brown Jug gang, the Pain Clinic, her co-workers at the Health Services Centre, the WWC coffee crew, the Nursing Class of 1960 and Barb’s  long-time childhood friend, Heather Ireland.  

Barb's life-long dedication and work as a compassionate Registered Nurse earned her the  respect of the medical community and of her patients at the Health Sciences Centre. Her caring nature and personal touch provided her patients with much comfort. Barb was also known for her "lead by example" mentorship to many medical students learning intravenous pre-operative procedures. 

Throughout her life Barb devoted countless volunteer hours to organizations that she felt most passionate about; the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Virtuosi, Westminster United Church and the Junior League. She was also a founding member of the new "Recovery Nurses United", an association for nurses recovering from addiction.    

Barb enjoyed traveling the world. It all started with many camping trips to Detroit Lakes and skiing holidays with her family, and then visiting her son Blair and his family in the USA, friends in Vancouver, Toronto and New York and lead to far away destinations such as Egypt, China, South Africa, Australia, and South America to name a few. 

Nothing gave Barb more pleasure than hosting her family and dear friends to her home for fabulous dinner parties and memorable Christmas Eve celebrations. Much to the delight of her guests, Barb took advantage of these events to show off her extensive collection of fashionable shoes, belts and handbags! 

A celebration of Barb’s life will take place on Friday, October 26, from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM at the Winnipeg Winter Club, 200 River Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barb's honour to any of Winnipeg's vibrant and exciting music and art organizations that she so dearly loved. 

"Don’t cry because it's over, smile because it happened". Mom, you will be forever in our hearts!