MAUREEN MILDRED GREENAWAY

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MAUREEN MILDRED GREENAWAY

(nee KLEIN)

August 21, 1932 – February 17, 2024

Maureen was born in Esk, SK, attended business school in Dauphin, MB in 1953, and spent the majority of her life in Calgary. She was predeceased by both her parents, Frederick and Anna Klein (Wildeman); and later by her husband Hugh Greenaway, on April 1, 2020. Maureen and Hugh enjoyed over 50 years of marriage and had no children. Maureen is survived by her sister Dorothy Klein of Humboldt, SK.

At age 91 Maureen didn’t know that she was about to play a lead role in a “Hallmark Moment.” In May of 2023, a DNA test from Ancestry revealed many maternal and paternal connections to a little girl born in 1954 at the old Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, and given up for adoption. This child, Joanne, with a lot of help from Kassidy Pascoe of Thunder Bay, followed the DNA trail and identified both of Joanne’s birth parents (Maureen Klein and Ernest Stanley Rusel). Ernie, born in Dauphin had lived in Brandon, then Port Alberni, BC., where he passed away in 2005.

In September of 2023, Maureen’s prayers were answered when she received the first of many phone calls from her daughter Joanne. For almost 70 years Maureen had included Joanne in her nightly prayers after placing her up for adoption. It was a difficult, but the only right decision Maureen could make, as Ernie had denied responsibility (DNA doesn’t lie, Ernie). Maureen was both pleased and relieved to learn that Joanne’s adoptive parents, Cliff and Hilda Harley, had provided her with all the love and support a child needs to be successful in the world.

In Calgary, on November 23, 2023 Maureen had the opportunity to meet her family; daughter Joanne Krestanowich, son-in-law David, as well as her granddaughter Cheryl Krestanowich and grandson Bill Krestanowich (Paige), as well as family friend Vero Alairie. We enjoyed lunch with Maureen and were able to spend the afternoon with her. We will always treasure that time.

Shortly after our Calgary visit, Maureen suffered a fall and died from complications resulting from the fall. Our time with her was too short. The family in Winnipeg would like to thank Karen and Dean Marshall of Calgary who had helped care for Maureen for many years. Joanne is also grateful for the discovery and friendship of a newfound cousin, Ray Kielan (Helen), of Vancouver.

RIP Maureen – we didn’t know you for a long time but we love you and will always remember you as our little miracle.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2024, May 11, 2024