Phyllis Anne Gosselin

It is with great sadness that we announce that after a long and fulfilling life, Phyllis Anne Graban / Gosselin, 86, of Winnipeg Manitoba, passed away on November 23rd 2024.

She is survived by her husband: James Gosselin, brother: Gerald, sister: Elizabeth Pearce (Husband Frank), her children: Bradley and Brenda, her grandchildren: Ryan, Jovan and Amy, great grandchild: Oliver.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Sophie Graban.

Phyllis was born on February 7th, 1938 on a farm in Fraserwood Manitoba. She loved the farm life. A moment she would never forget was when she tried riding a cow and fell off. She spent her early school days in Fraserwood, where in grade 8 she starred in her first play where she was a soldier, she was so nervous as she walked out on the stage. That year she was voted the class Valedictorian.

Phyllis had various jobs throughout her life; her first job was at a shoulder Pad Company for women’s clothes. From there she became a hair stylist and worked at a little shop on Provencher Avenue. She loved cutting and styling hair, and especially loved doing the family haircuts in the kitchen at home. Phyllis’s passion for hair styling inspired Mike Gosselin, a job he is still doing to this day. So you can see Phyllis wore many hats when it came to careers, speaking of hats, her next chapter in her work life, Phyllis started work at Crown Cap, which then became Star Sporting Goods, which was a family run business, where she sewed hats, winter jackets and pants. Her passion for sewing was also evident at home, where she loved making the Halloween costumes for her children and mending family members worn and torn clothing.

Phyllis had some dates through her middle school and high school days. But the love of her life came when she met James (Jim) Gosselin. James had dated one of Phyllis’s friends Joyce, but he realized he really liked Phyllis. At first she thought James talked too much and was loud, but after many requests to go out on a date. Phyllis finally agreed and almost 5 years of dating, they were married on June 14th 1958.

Some of the memories they talked about were going on a train to the Grand beach Pavillion, you took a train for 50 cents and could dance the night away. They also mention going for dinner and dancing at the Town and Country Cabaret, where danced to the sounds of Chubby Checker and Hermans Hermits. All married couples dreamed of buying a house, Phyllis and James bought their house on Giroux Street, five houses down from James parents and lived there their whole lives, and during their 66 years of marriage they had two children, Bradley and Brenda.

Phyllis loved doing the Saturday crossword and jumble puzzles. Taking pride in solving the toughest puzzles they would publish.

Phyllis loved the Christmas season, she would take her children down to Eaton’s downtown to have breakfast and have their picture taken with Santa Claus. Then came decorating the tree and Christmas dinner, armed with recipes from her mother and some of her own, Phyllis would start her baking of short bread cookies and the staple Ukrainian food, perogies and cabbage rolls. All in anticipation for the family gathering at our overcrowded dining table which was now setup in the living room. To get an escape from the cold Winnipeg weather, Phyllis and James would head to Acapulco, for over 25 years straight they went to that same hotel, where they became like family to the hotel staff and met many friends that they would visit during the summer months.

But Grand Beach was her favorite place, spending time watching her children swim and play. It was such a great memory for her kids, that Brenda bought a cottage there so Phyllis could now watch her grand children and great grandchild swim and play.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Actionmarguerite 3ABC for their care and kindness during Phyllis’s stay with them, up to her final days.