GERALDINE JOAN GERUS (HEFFEL)

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GERALDINE JOAN GERUS (nee HEFFEL) Peacefully on April 10, 2018, Joan passed away at Trillium Lodge Hospice in Parksville, BC at the age of 85. Joan was born on February 13, 1933 in Winnipeg, MB and grew up in the North End. She married her true love, David Gerus on January 28, 1961. By 1968, they settled in East Kildonan with their three kids. Mom stayed home with us kids until we were all in high school before returning to the work force. She worked for the City of Winnipeg until retiring in 1990. Like many other City of Winnipeg retirees at the time, Mom and Dad moved to Vancouver Island in 1993 to be near the ocean and away from the nasty weather extremes in Winnipeg. They settled first in Cowichan Bay and after some exploring, ended up in Nanoose Bay, where Mom lived independently until her hospitalization on February 28. Joan is survived by her children Nicholas (Flo), Lisa (Andrew) and Clinton (Margo), six grandchildren Amanda, Joshua, Brittany, Jack, Logan and Liam, and one great-grandson, Bentley. Joan was predeceased by her husband Dave in 2011, parents Alexander and Pauline Heffel, and many precious family members, friends and pets. Our mom will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for her unique spunkiness and fierce independence. She was an avid music and animal lover, a lifelong friend keeper, a talented artist and a no nonsense kind of mom with a truly generous heart and honest spirit. She always did it her way, right to the end. Until we meet again Mom, we'll love you forever and like you for always. There are not enough words to express our thanks and aptly acknowledge the doctors, staff and volunteers at Trillium Lodge Hospice in Parksville. These folks are professional angels who carried our mom through her final journey with pure compassion, TLC and dignity. Special thanks to longtime friend Steve as well who visited our mom often at Trillium Lodge Hospice. A celebration of Joan's life will be held in Winnipeg at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2018