CHRISTINA ULLA POKRUPA (LARSSON)

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CHRISTINA ULLA POKRUPA (nee LARSSON) On June 13, 2003 Christina passed away peacefully at home under a blue evening sky. Born September 23, 1938 in Monsteras, Sweden, she was raised in Smaland. Christina was predeceased by her mother Carin Linnea Larsson, and father (Member of Parliament and Senator) Nils Theodore Hebert Larsson. She is survived by three sisters and a brother in Sweden. Her son, Nils Rudolph Pokrupa resides in Winnipeg and her husband, Jerry Pokrupa resides in Cochenour, ON. Christina pursued a career in the "craft of weaving" handed down by her mother. She obtained a Teachers Diploma in Weaving and Sewing in Stockholm (1957 - 1961), taught for six years at secondary schools, and worked another six years as an occupational therapist for epileptics and elderly. In 1972, she accepted a position with the Thabana Li Mele Project in Lesotho, Africa, as a Technical Advisor to a rural development project, responsible for spinning, weaving and sewing training. It was during this period that she met Jerry Pokrupa, future life mate. Christina and Jerry returned to Manitoba (Jerrys home) in 1976 and resided in Winnipeg for the next 23 years. Raising her family in Winnipeg, she made countless friends. Nils graduated from Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University and is currently employed at Bristol Aerospace. In 1999, Jerry and Christina moved to Red Lake, ON and Chris "retired". She kept very busy during the years in Winnipeg. As a member of the Crafts Guild of Manitoba and Guild of Canadian Weavers (1979 - 1997), Christina taught weaving courses at the University of Manitoba and Crafts Guild of Manitoba, and as a member of the Manitoba Orchid Society (1992 - 2003). Christina had a natural curiosity to grow things, be it gardens or friendships. There was never a period in her life that a windowsill wasnt used, or flower and vegetable gardens werent near by. Every plant grew and, in friendship, everyone she touched benefited in more ways than one. Over the past few years Christina commented on how fortunate we were to have found Red Lake, close to the forests, the lakes and "so many fine friends and neighbours". She always found time to get involved with feasts, pottery courses, photography, orchids, mushroom hunting, fishing and berry picking. Christina has left us with a legacy of creativity, fairness, love and harmony. Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes to be put to rest in the family burial plot in Hogsby, Sweden, and make specific requests for services. A "Tribute to Christina" will be held in Winnipeg at the Assiniboine Park Conservatory, Thursday, July 3 (8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, c/o Crystal Rogers, Treasurer, Box 76, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 26, 2003