Veronica Motoska

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Veronica, age 97 on Thursday, November 2, 2023 following a brief illness at the Concordia Hospital.

She will be sadly missed by daughter Bev (Tom LaPorte), granddaughters Leah (Rejean Bissonnette), Kristie (Jordan Langeler); great-grandsons Alexandre and Lucas Bissonnette and Hayes Langeler all of Winnipeg; sister-in-laws Mary Motoska, Helen (John Olko), Sophie Motoska, Mary Kosc; and many nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Steve Motoska (also his parents Michael and Pauline Motoska); her parents Peter and Verona (Romaniuk) Kosc; sisters Anne (Konnie Waraska), Mary (Michael Varga), Elonka (Lawrence Bean), Martha (Rene Saltel); brothers John Kosc, Mike Kosc (Elsie) and in-laws Anne (Morris Sentla), John Motoska (Marie), Bill Motoska and Emil Motoska.

Veronica was born August 28, 1926, in Maly Sulin, Czechoslovakia. She came to Canada on June 6, 1931, when she was 4 years old with her mother, her sisters Anne and Mary and her brother John to join their father at their newly established homestead in Tilley, Alberta. Her childhood was spent on the farm. On moving to Manitoba Mom met Steve, the love of her life, and they were married November 10, 1945.

Mom’s working career was in the garment industry in the Exchange District in Winnipeg. Her first job was with Hy Fashion Apparels working as a seamstress with Hymie and Barney Nurqitz making samples from their designs. Over the years she continued to work in the garment industry including working as the seamstress for D’Allairds Clothing Store. Prior to her retirement, she worked as the floor supervisor for Arthur Street Fashions.

Mom was an avid gardener; she loved her flowers and vegetable garden. In her later years, she loved to grow orchids. She loved to sew all her life, from making clothes for her daughter when she was young to Halloween costumes and Christmas dresses for her granddaughters. Her house walls were always adorned with her cross-stitch and crewel embroidery work. Her other interests included attending performances at MTC and Rainbow Stage with family and friends. She was an avid fan of the Blue Bombers, having had season tickets for many years. People who sat around her at the games have reminded us how she always had Werther’s hard caramels to hand out to them. Mom loved having her family over every Sunday. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and making sure we were all well fed.

After retirement, Mom loved to travel with family and friends making numerous trips with FehrWay Tours throughout the United States, and Canada. She travelled through Europe with family and travelled to the place of her birth in Maly Sulin, Slovakia. Mom often talked about being the only member of the family who did not get seasick during her first boat ride as a 4-year-old emigrating to Canada and her love of cruising continued for many years as she enjoyed a number of Caribbean cruises. One of her last trips was at age 87 when she travelled with family members to visit a Granddaughter in Thailand where she rode on an elephant and to China where she walked on the Great Wall.

A memorial service for Veronica will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 10:00 am at Green Acres Funeral Home, Winnipeg. It will also be live streamed and a link will be provided on her obituary at

www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

Family would like to thank the staff at 3W Concordia Hospital for their caring and support throughout Mom’s illness.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.