Elaine Marie Bigelow

Our beloved mother, Elaine has passed away. She was born to Olga and Peter Podolchuk and grew up surrounded by a large family and community in the farming town of Elma, Manitoba. From the moment she graduated high school, she longed for adventure beyond the green pastures. The call to service took her East, where she joined the Navy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ship’s cook, Douglas, caught her eye, and they married and went on to have three children: Angela, Christopher, and Douglas.

Sadly, she was widowed at the young age of 23. She made many sacrifices, but together with her family, she raised us with a gentle hand, teaching acceptance, patience, and kindness toward all. We always felt loved and seen, well into adulthood. She worked for the church so that we could have a private education. Afterward, her training as a medical secretary, along with her strong computer skills, made her a natural fit for her work in healthcare, where she remained until her untimely passing.

She had many passions and hobbies, including painting, gardening, and tending to her large collection of house plants. She was very well-read, with interests in history, philosophy, religion, and watching whatever happened to be on the History Channel and she loved a good BBC mystery drama. Her love of history sparked a lifelong interest in genealogy, uncovering the stories of many long-forgotten family members, tracing roots all the way back to “the old country.”

Her genealogical investigations revealed a Jewish birthright on her mother’s side. After fully immersing herself in her studies and learning Hebrew for a year, she converted from Catholicism to Judaism in 2012. She was a very proud Jew, and we all enjoyed hearing her sing psalms during the candle lighting of Hanukkah and at Shabbat dinners. Her connections with the Winnipeg Friends of Israel group and the good work they did brought her new and lasting friendships, both local and abroad.

Though she kept her private life quiet, she advocated for, and directly supported, newcomer families. She had a strong interest in the journeys and stories of people of all different backgrounds, giving strength to many during dark times.

Her greatest joy though was that of being Nana to Courtney (Graham), Morgan (Mariam), and Maya (Issac), and great-Nana to Elena, Isobel, and June. Along with her children and grandchildren, she also leaves to mourn her brothers Ivan, David (Sherry-Lee); Nadine, and Allan (Vivian); Olivia. Mom was predeceased by her only sister, Irene, two years ago, and her niece, Jasmine, this past April. We take comfort in knowing that they may be reunited.

She had many close friends, including Father Rob McDougall, Polina, Yolanda, Margaret, and Marinella, as well as many friends who were also cousins from the Mirka and Podolchuk families. She would stay in touch with phone calls, messages, and even an impromptu cup of tea whenever someone came into town.

Mom was a true source of light. She loved and cared deeply for her family and often stopped to share a chat with strangers who needed a little light of their own. Despite pain and health challenges, she never complained. She had the gift of simply listening, and her calming presence and love have left an indelible mark on all those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. To quote her cousin Shirley, “she was the real deal.”

Soon, we will smile at the memories of her, sense her touch, and thank her simply for being. Today is not that day. Today, we are heartbroken and mourn a life gone too soon.

“May her soul be bound in the bond of life.”