VERNA MARGORIE POTOROKA

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VERNA MARGORIE POTOROKA Peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2004, Verna Margorie Potoroka passed away at Golden West Centennial Lodge at the age of 83. Verna is survived by her daughter Alice-Marie (Bill) Dyck of Winnipeg; her sister Margaret Kenna of Lethbridge, AB; nieces, Donna Higham and Linda Klassen; nephews, Robert and Norman Peters and several great-nieces and nephews. Verna was predeceased by her beloved husband, the Rev. William (Bill) Potoroka in 1975; her brother Leonard Peters one month ago; her sister Josie (Johanna) Smaha; her sister Wanda Peters and her parents, Margaret and Jacob Peters. Verna was born in Wymark, SK on May 16, 1920. Having an education was always important to Verna. As there was no Grade 12 class available at the school in her home town, Verna went to work for two years to raise the money to complete her High School in Swift Current, SK. She worked in Toronto and then as a housekeeper in Neepawa, MB, in the Wemyss (Simpson) family home, where she got to know the young Peggy Wemyss, now better known as the writer, Margaret Laurence. Following Teachers College in Saskatoon, Verna became the teacher at a one-room school in the Droxford area of rural Saskatchewan where she met Bill who was the preacher of Bingham Baptist Church across the street. They were married on October 18, 1948. Verna and Bill moved several times across Manitoba and Saskatchewan as Bill took pastorates in Weyburn, SK and in the Manitou area in Manitoba. Verna often became the teacher in the local one-room school. In 1955, they moved to Winnipeg. Verna was soon teaching at Crane Elementary School. Music was a great joy in Vernas life. She enjoyed playing the piano and became very involved in directing school choirs, taking them many times to the Manitoba Music Festival. She was also a member of her church choir for many years. After 6 years at Crane School, she went full-time to the University of Manitoba and obtained her B.Ed. Verna returned to teaching at Viscount Alexander Junior High for several years and then to John Gunn Junior High from which she retired in 1985. Following the death of her husband, Verna took over his work as Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Education Service for several years. Retirement for Verna was always busy. Verna enjoyed travelling, including several Caribbean cruises, a trip to China, many visits to England and Europe, Hawaii, and driving trips through Canada and the US. She also became very involved in the work of her church. She became the first woman Chair of Deacons at Broadway-First Baptist Church. Verna also was a President of the Manitoba Area of the Womens Christian Fellowship and Moderator of the Manitoba Area Baptist Churches. She received a licence as a Lay Pastor and served at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Winnipeg and at Emerson Baptist Church in Emerson, MB. Always the teacher, Verna signed up with Canadian Baptist Volunteers, and at the age of 72, went to Eritrea to teach English to teachers. Due to failing health, Verna spent her final years at Rosewood Village and finally at Golden West Centennial Lodge. Both places gave Verna the best of care. The family wish to thank the staff in Fernwood House at Rosewood Village for their wonderful attention and especially to the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge for the kind and compassionate care shown to Verna during her short time there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Vernas memory to the Canadian Alzheimers Association (Manitoba Chapter) or the Salvation Army. A memorial service was held on Friday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. in Broadway First Baptist Church, 790 Honeyman Ave. Cremation has taken place and interment will take place at a later date in Swift Current, SK. THOMSON Funeral Chapels - 669 Broadway - 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 31, 2004