my life is past.
I loved you all to the very last
Weep not for me,
but courage take,
Love each other, for my sake.
For those you love don’t go away.
They walk beside you everyday.
Bernice Lindsay, age 85, of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away peacefully on January 14th, 2022, at the Middlechurch Personal Care Home. She was born and raised on her family farm in Oakbank, Manitoba, on January 7th, 1937. It was here on her family’s farm that she cultivated her tireless work ethic, passion for cooking, devotion to family, and her love for animals of all kinds.
In 1954, Bernice met and fell in love with her first husband, Fred Chomyn. Fred and Bernice moved to Kirkland Lake, Ontario, and together raised 4 beautiful children; Lilly (Robert), Elaine (Brian), Susan (Alan), and Larry (Laurie). In 1968 Fred and Bernice moved back to Winnipeg in pursuit of more opportunities for their family. Bernice worked at various jobs, and her tenacity and work ethic undoubtedly contributed to her occupational success.
In 1982, she married Byron Lindsay and shortly thereafter she retired. Bernice and Byron shared many laughs together and a mutual passion for travel and adventure. You could often find them out camping, fishing, or out cruising the Caribbean. Sadly, Byron passed away suddenly in1986. At this time, Bernice decided to move back to Transcona to be closer to family, and gardening became a renewed passion of hers. She was especially proud of her rose bushes. We remember her apple trees always having the most beautiful blossoms and making homemade apple pies and delivering them to her parents and family brought her so much joy. Bernice had an appreciation of music and would often attend concerts or take in the community festivals where she delighted in the local music, with fiddling being one of her favourites. She also loved to dance, and whenever she had the opportunity to find an event where she could dance, she would take it!
Bernice would often look back at pictures of her family and remind us that she loved being a homemaker and raising her children more than anything. There was nothing more important to Mom than her family and she often invited her family to meet for breakfast or brunch, so she could hear the latest news. She loved catching up with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. During our family gatherings we all valued her encouragement and advice. Bernice was a phenomenal cook, always experimenting with new recipes. She was especially known for her perogies and cabbage rolls, which were enjoyed immensely at every special occasion. Bernice had a real sense of style and took pride in her home, decorating it beautifully for the enjoyment of family and friends. There was no other occasion as special as Christmas to Bernice. Her decorating and place setting at the dining room table was impeccable. The wrapping of Christmas gifts was an art form, and the meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas day would make any Master Chef astonished. She showered her family with gifts; and we all know how much she loved to shop!
Bernice had such a love for nature and wildlife. She often drove out to the country side to walk on trails with her doggies Spirit and Chinook. When going for walks, people would stop her and ask her questions about them. She was very proud of her Bichon Frise’s.
Throughout her life, Bernice always remained a strong and independent woman who was hard working and self sacrificing. Her amazing strength and great sense of humour undoubtedly helped her remain in good spirits through the many years of pain she experienced before her passing.
Bernice was an incredible and amazing woman. We will cherish her wisdom, determination, resilience, her sense of fun and humour, her practicality, her deep faith, her love, and her belief that change and equality for all are possible if we work together. We love her so much and always will.
She will forever be remembered and dearly missed not only by her children but by her seven grandchildren Kyle, Robyn (Andy), Joel, Michelle, Sarah (Jason), Emily (Keelan), Jessica (Richard) and 4 great grandchildren Annalee, Christopher, Wren, Zachary; Sister Iris and all that loved her. Bernice was predeceased by her brother Richard, and parents John and Rose Kowalski.
The family would like to thank the staff at Middlechurch Home for the tender and professional care they provided to mom over the years.
At Bernice’s request, a private graveside service was held at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Birds Hill Park, on Thursday January 20th, 2022
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