Selma Demski

With profound sadness we announce the passing of our mom, “Selma Joan Marie Demski” on February 24, 2022, at the age of 84, after her heroic battle with cancer. She was an amazing woman, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and friend to many who will miss her dearly. She was born on Saturday, April 17, 1937 to John and Sophia Tyndall, the youngest of 8 children. She always said she was born in “a swamp” in Riverland, Manitoba – just outside of Lac Du Bonnet. In fact, she has shown us where the homestead was and indeed, it was in the swamp bushes.

Mom married her loving husband Alex, on Saturday, November 10, 1979, and was heartbroken when he passed on Saturday, June 8, 2002. She will now join him on her next journey.

She is the loving & devoted mother of: Beverly (Dave) Rose, “Favorite” Son, Richard (Terry) Nawolski, Audrey (Clayton) Scott, and Frances (Robert) Kullman.

Grandmother to her grandchildren: Lisa (Dason) Wowk, Kori (Mike) Desmarais, Krista (Derek) Mancini, Jenna (Scott) Fraser, Barry (Hattie) Nawolski, Crystal (Vern) Stevens, Shannon, Dana (Martyn) Nawolski, Holly (Nelson) Pereira, Doug Park, Steven (Kelly) Lloyd, Amanda (Jaret) St. Andrassy and Nick (Sheila) Rose.

Gma to her great-grandchildren: Zachary, Domenico, Hudson, Alexander, Anna, Amber, Emily, Nathan, Alexzander, Declan, Dominic, Quinn, Sophie, Maddie and Harper.

Mom has many remaining nieces and nephews. Leona, she loved your telephone conversations so very much and always looked forward to your name coming up on her cell phone. Mom had so many friends who played such an important part in her life – thank you for all your contributions to our mom’s life.

She was predeceased by her parents; John and Sophia, brothers; Fred, Hugo, Helmer, John, Carl and, sisters; Annie and Violet.

Mom was a farm girl at heart and she led her life by example. There was never a job too large or too small that she could not tackle. She was a strong, determined and fiercely independent woman. She loved to cook, kept an immaculate household, and enjoyed weekly outings to the local bowling alley. She was also an avid bingo player and loved spending her time volunteering and fundraising with the Legion. Her husband, better known as Al, was a talented drummer and she was proud to accompany him to all his music gigs. She loved music and was an amazing dancer... especially the polka! She always said her niece’s husband Ernie, was her favorite dance partner.

Mom attended Riverland School just outside of Lac du Bonnet. She always told us that her education was limited, as back then, the world was a different place. We never saw proof of this “limited education” she spoke of as she mastered anything that came her way. Mom worked at Catelli’s on the assembly line to support her family. After a job change, she became one of the top welders at Motor Coach Industries – mastering a difficult welding skill all due to her steady hands. From there, she went on to Western Grocers, where she worked as a stockkeeper and then moved into balancing the daily cash for the warehouse – utilizing her accounting skills. While working at Western Grocers she also had a grocery/gas bar store that she was owner operator of. Mom retired from Western Grocers at an early age to spend more time and provide care to Al when he became ill. Everyone that has had the wonderful opportunity of meeting our mom knows that she was always a hard working, energetic woman, who could do circles around most people as she never stopped to take a rest! Mom has always been larger-than-life and a couple fitting words to describe her would be “feisty and “superwoman”.

Dave was often amazed as to how mom had connections anywhere and everywhere she went. It was difficult to go somewhere without mom running into someone she knew. She had such a vivacious personality and always made people around her laugh.

Mom was a long-time member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Transcona Branch 7, since 1983. It was a very special place that was near & dear to her heart. Her late husband, Al, introduced the Legion to her – and she stayed an associate member ever since. She was also a member of the infamous Red Hat Society, Chapter 49662, known as the “Posh Hyacinths (or not so posh)”.

Mom loved being outdoors and surrounded by nature. She jumped at any chance she had to go fishing and/or boating. Gilbert Plains, where her daughter Frances lives, along with Nestor Falls, where her daughter Bev’s cabin is, were two of her favorite travel locations. She had her own bedroom in all of her children’s homes and at the cabin. At the cabin, her great grandson Zachary would always ask “why are you in Gma’s room?” if anyone was trying to use her bedroom. She gardened, climbed rock piles, became fire chief for burning shrubs, cut fire wood – you name it – no task was too big for her. Life will be so different moving forward and we will all miss your company.

The head of our family is now with the angels and we are left to be the remaining responsible “elders”. Mom, we will do our best to make you proud but really, there is nobody that will ever fill your shoes. You were the star of any room you entered – your energy and laugh contagious, and your love, never ending. You were the strongest woman we’ve ever met, not afraid of anything and a true force to be reckoned with.

On another note, we would like to thank Paul, Nelson, Barry, Mike, Derek, Scott, Dason, all the girls, and anyone else that participated in helping our mom move to her various homes and setting them up. An extra thank you to Nelson, her personal IT specialist, for without you she wouldn’t have been able to watch her I Love Lucy shows. I believe we were up to 20 moves – Ron, from Emergency Moving will certainly miss your business. She frequently said “Didn’t you know, I’m like a gypsy – just like my mother”. And truer words were never spoken. Her granddaughter Jenna would say “Most gypsy’s travel light, but not grandma”. Moving gave mom the opportunity to make many new friends wherever she went as she was a very outgoing and special lady. Mom loved to sit outside the local Henderson Hwy Tim Hortons and visit with her friends, she was known as the Tim Horton’s greeter.

In closing, we would like to thank the following:

Mom’s primary physician; Dr. Kathy Knezic and the wonderful staff at Concordia Health Associates who were always patient and kind, ensuring that mom was in the best hands. Kathy is the kind of doctor everyone wishes they had. She is a warm and caring doctor who always takes her time with each patient - she always made mom feel very important.

Dr. Roopesh Kansara and the staff at St. Boniface Cancer Care for their care and help during mom’s chemotherapy treatments.

Lori at Palliative Care for her assistance when needed along with Jodi, Michell and all the staff at Riverview Health Centre for going above and beyond and providing such loving and compassionate care to mom during her 4 week stay. You truly are our Angels on Earth. Our family will be forever grateful for everything you have done.

Mom, as we are writing this obituary, we are struggling with you leaving us and are already missing you beyond belief. If our love could have saved you, you would still be here with us now. Life will never be the same without your hugs, love, talks and support – we are blessed to have so many memories that we will cherish. Trust us when we say, you will be inundated with messages sent above.

Our Mom has had a wonderful life and we give thanks to all of you who made it so. She will be dearly missed every day and will forever be in our hearts.

This is not goodbye mom, as Frances would say, it is “see you later mom”, and Mike wants you to know that we all “Love you to the moon and back”.

A celebration of mom’s life will take place at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Breast and/or Lymphoma Cancer Society are welcome.