DORA (DOROTHY) THOMAS

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aaaaaDORA (DOROTHY) THOMAS (previously KOZAR) 1915 - 2013 Peacefully, on July 27, 2013 after a brief illness, it is with sadness that we announce the death of Dorothy at the Grace Hospital. Mom is survived by her son Verne Kozar (Judy), grandchildren Richard Kozar, Donna Wolkenstein (Franz), Tracy Bowman (Brian), Karen Chercoe (Jayson), great-grandchildren Katie, Hayden and Austin, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Elvin (2006) and daughter-in-law Joyce (2013). She was also predeceased by her husbands Nicklaus Kozar (1984) and Bill Thomas (2005). She was earlier predeceased by brothers Steven and George and sisters Isabel and Mary. Mom was born in Fisher Branch, Manitoba and later moved to Grandview, Manitoba. Her early years were hard as her mother Pauline died when she was only five. Her father John Wakaluk was busy making a living in his shoe repair shop, and thus did not have much time for his young family. Money and food were scarce during those "Depression Years". It was at this time that mom learned the value of hard work and a dollar as she was "mother" to her younger siblings. In 1932, she married Nicklaus Kozar. They farmed for more than a decade until 1944 when they moved to Winnipeg, where they bought a Mom and Pop store on Scotland Avenue in Fort Rouge. In 1950 they moved to Oakburn, Manitoba where they purchased a small hotel with another couple. Two years later they moved back to Winnipeg, settling again in Fort Rouge. After short stints working at Eaton's and Perth's, mom worked for 15 years at the Graham Avenue Post Office, and retired from the financial branch. In her younger years, mom enjoyed hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, copper tooling, painting, needlepoint and creating "shell pictures". When she was 77 years old, after her first husband died, Mom married Bill Thomas. They had 13 happy years together. They travelled to California, Hawaii, Mexico, and Cuba before Bill died. In her later years, Mom lived at Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence. Regrettably, because of her hearing impairment and increasing dementia, she was not able to converse with and enjoy her fellow residents as much as she would have liked, as she was extremely gregarious most of her life. Mom was feisty, hard working, loyal and sociable. She was generous and loving to her family and she will be greatly missed. Cremation has taken place, and according to her wishes there will be no formal service. A family dinner and celebration of her life will take place at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff at Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence and the staff on the Third Floor North at Grace Hospital for their kindness, care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2013