It is with saddened hearts that the family of Gabrielle Chikoski announces her peaceful passing in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 97 years of age.
Gabrielle was born in Rocanville, Saskatchewan to Anna and Dominique Boyer and was raised in Southern Manitoba wherein 1937 she married her sweetheart Adam (Mike) Chikoski. Together they started their family there and eventually moved to Fort William, settling in Westfort, where they raised their 6 children.
Gabrielle had a green thumb and lovingly planted beautiful flower beds in her yard. Being a talented seamstress, she sewed her family’s clothes on her treadle Singer sewing machine for years and knitted her children’s hats, mitts, scarves and socks. As long as the family could remember, she canned preserves from Mike’s garden vegetables and always cooked homemade meals.
Having lived in Westfort for almost 50 years, she made many lifelong friends with whom she would spend time playing cards, having tea and watching the children grow with their families.
Being a devoted member of the Catholic faith, she attended St. Agnes Church and recently received recognition for 70 years as a member of the Catholic Women’s League.
Gabrielle is survived by her children, Andrew (Pat), Bernice, Gerald, Neil (Ione) and Louis (Jo-Anne). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Agnes Lambert of Sandiland, Manitoba and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Adam, son Reginald, sister Jean Belhumeur of Winnipeg, brother Aime Lambert of Sandilands, sisters-in-law Klema Happychuk, Elizabeth Frederickson, daughter-law Lucy Chikoski and son-in-law George Dance of Thunder Bay as well as grandsons Timothy Chikoski of Peachland, BC and Allen Siciliano of Thunder Bay.
Visitation will be at St. Agnes Church on Thursday, June 1st from 5-7 p.m. with funeral mass on Friday, June 2nd at 130 p.m. with interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
The family of Gabrielle Chikoski would like to thank the entire staff of Pinewood Court with emphasis on the Blue Heron resident home area people for their exceptional personal care and kindness. Many thanks to Drs. Ruby and Steve Klassen for their medical expertise and dedication to Mom’s needs. Donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Action Centre or the charity of your choice are graciously accepted.
