Jeanette CHAMBERS

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CHAMBERS: Jeanette Magdelene Chambers (née Kostecki) passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2017. Jeanette was born September 6, 1932 in Flin Flon, to Marjan and Josephine Kostecki (née Domareski). She lived in Flin Flon, Gilbert Plains, Fort William and Decker, MB, before her family settled permanently in Bethany, MB, where they ran a general store. Jeanette attended Normal School after high school, and taught for a year at Scandinavia Rural School before deciding to move to Dauphin to work in the CIBC bank. It was in Dauphin that she met Mel, whom she married in 1954. The young couple moved to Flin Flon shortly thereafter where Jeanette continued to work in the CIBC branch. When Mel accepted a teaching position at the collegiate in Neepawa, they moved back south to be closer to family. Jeanette spent several years at home, raising their three children, until their youngest child entered school. She then returned to work for the CIBC branch in Neepawa. There, she moved from her position as teller to head teller and finally to personal banking representative. She earned numerous service awards and not only met, but exceeded, every target that was set for her. She also gained the respect of her many clients for her sincere desire to help them achieve their financial goals and for her genuine interest in them as people. Jeanette may have been a stellar contributor as a bank employee, but she did not allow her work to detract from the quality of care and attention she gave to her family. In an era when relatively few mothers worked outside the home, she made sure her family was her main priority and, at the same time, also managed to keep an immaculate home and garden. She often stayed up till the wee hours of the morning to get everything done. After her children had left home and her father had passed away, Jeanette brought her elderly mother home to live with her and lovingly cared for her for over thirteen years. Her absolute commitment to her family never wavered. Jeanette had many interests, chief among them travel. She visited nearly forty countries on six continents and made lifelong friends on every trip. She loved to host friends and family in her home and was happiest when feeding them; no one ever left her home hungry. She was a wonderful cook and legendary hostess. Jeanette was a creative and artistic woman. She enjoyed oil painting, cake decorating, floral arranging and frequently renovated and redecorated the family home and cottage, often ahead of the current trends. In her younger days, Jeanette enjoyed bowling, golfing and cross-country skiing. Despite being a nonswimmer and fearful of water, Jeanette nonetheless was game to throw on a life preserver and jump into the ocean to swim with giant sting rays. She had a great sense of adventure! Jeanette spoke Polish and was able to understand Ukrainian. She played the banjo in her youth and played piano by ear. Some of Jeanette’s happiest times were spent at the family cottage on Lake Manitoba where she loved to host gatherings for family and friends. She was known for her warmth, hospitality, sense of humour and being a prankster! Most importantly, Jeanette was a woman of faith who believed in the power of prayer and never doubted that God would provide. She was compassionate, caring and forgiving, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her death has released her from pain and brought her to a place of peace. We who loved her will miss her dearly, but we know that she will watch over us until we meet again. Jeanette was predeceased by her parents, Marjan and Josephine Kostecki, and is survived by her loving husband Mel, beloved children Randy (Elspeth), Bonnie (John), David (Susan), grandchildren Erin (Dave), Lyndon, Aidan and Amanda, her brother Ed (Irene) and numerous nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian Burial was held on May 23, 2017 in St. Dominic’s Church, Neepawa, MB.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 10, 2017