Obituary for Elizabeth Louise Petrash (Thompson)
Elizabeth (Liz) Louise Petrash (née Thompson)
June 23, 1963 – November 15, 2020
While it is with great love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elizabeth at home on Sunday, November 15, 2020, we also rejoice that she was called to the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elizabeth valiantly fought a battle with cancer with hopes of recovering and living a full life with her husband Timothy (Tim) Petrash.
Elizabeth first appeared on June 23, 1963 in Fredericton, NB and experienced life across Canada as an ‘army brat’. After graduating from high school, Elizabeth helped her father start up Thompson’s Taxi in Oromocto, NB. As chief dispatcher and office manager she was the company lynchpin, keeping the peace in the office and on the road. On Sept 1, 1990, she married Tim and throughout their marriage, supported him during his time in the Canadian Forces. This included a stint in Kingston, ON, before moving on to Winnipeg, which she adopted as her home.
Liz kept the home fires burning whenever Tim was deployed, either nearby or halfway around the world. After Kathleen’s arrival, Liz decided to be a stay-at-home mom and augmented her family’s income, by looking after children in their home and treating them like family. As Liz always had a song on her heart, singing in the choir was one of the ministries she was involved with and while at Church of the Rock, Liz took on a new ministry role as a greeter. Proud of her Loyalist roots, Liz also embraced Ukrainian culture and traditions and learned the fine art of making perogies and cabbage rolls from her mother-in-law. Compassionate, kind-hearted, loyal, and always quick to forgive, Liz passed on her love of animals to her daughter and smoothed out much of her husband’s rough edges. Over the years Tim learned that along with repentance; flowers, donairs, and especially lobsters were the fast track to forgiveness.
Liz cherished her family and she cared about those she came in contact with and had a way with people that allowed them open up to her with trust and confidence. Her love for children and gentle disposition led to a career as an Educational Assistant in the Pembina Trails School Division. She loved working in the classroom and subbed until she landed a permanent EA position. As she fulfilled her duties at General Byng and Dalhousie Schools with love and diligence, she made numerous friends and while she wouldn’t discuss her beliefs in the workplace, she was passionate about her faith and always sought to show Christ’s love to students and staff.
Survived by Tim, Elizabeth also leaves behind her daughter Kathleen (Jordan) Day, siblings Joan (Brad) Seefried; John Thompson, Thomas (Sherri) Thompson, and a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents Gary “Tommy” and Helena Thompson.
Our gratitude goes out to Drs. Benjamin Goldenberg, Chris Ogaranko, and their team at Cancer Care Manitoba (Victoria Hospital); Dr. John Reda, Dorothy Johannson (RN) and the team at Cornish 6, Misericordia Hospital; the coordinators and home care teams at the Winnipeg Regional Palliative Care Program and Access Fort Garry. Everyone did much to make Liz comfortable since this began. Thank you for your consistent professionalism, dedication, empathy, and compassion you have shown us throughout our journey.
To honour Elizabeth’s memory, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, Manitoba Mood Disorders, Gideon’s International in Canada or the Dalhousie School Breakfast Program
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23:6
Due to pandemic restrictions, the funeral is private and will be inside with five immediate family members.
It is intended that Elizabeth's homecoming service for friends and family will be live-streamed at 1:00 p.m. CDT, Sunday, November 22, 2020. Viewing is planned to take place outside Church of the Rock, 1397 Buffalo Pl, Winnipeg, MB, with the casket inside the church, overlooking the west parking lot between 11:30 AM -12:30 PM. This will allow everyone time to go home and watch the service on either Facebook or Zoom. During the viewing, please follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.
If you wish to watch and need clarification on any details, please contact family members.
For accessing ZOOM, please text …204-799-0902 with your name and phone number.
June 23, 1963 – November 15, 2020
While it is with great love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elizabeth at home on Sunday, November 15, 2020, we also rejoice that she was called to the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elizabeth valiantly fought a battle with cancer with hopes of recovering and living a full life with her husband Timothy (Tim) Petrash.
Elizabeth first appeared on June 23, 1963 in Fredericton, NB and experienced life across Canada as an ‘army brat’. After graduating from high school, Elizabeth helped her father start up Thompson’s Taxi in Oromocto, NB. As chief dispatcher and office manager she was the company lynchpin, keeping the peace in the office and on the road. On Sept 1, 1990, she married Tim and throughout their marriage, supported him during his time in the Canadian Forces. This included a stint in Kingston, ON, before moving on to Winnipeg, which she adopted as her home.
Liz kept the home fires burning whenever Tim was deployed, either nearby or halfway around the world. After Kathleen’s arrival, Liz decided to be a stay-at-home mom and augmented her family’s income, by looking after children in their home and treating them like family. As Liz always had a song on her heart, singing in the choir was one of the ministries she was involved with and while at Church of the Rock, Liz took on a new ministry role as a greeter. Proud of her Loyalist roots, Liz also embraced Ukrainian culture and traditions and learned the fine art of making perogies and cabbage rolls from her mother-in-law. Compassionate, kind-hearted, loyal, and always quick to forgive, Liz passed on her love of animals to her daughter and smoothed out much of her husband’s rough edges. Over the years Tim learned that along with repentance; flowers, donairs, and especially lobsters were the fast track to forgiveness.
Liz cherished her family and she cared about those she came in contact with and had a way with people that allowed them open up to her with trust and confidence. Her love for children and gentle disposition led to a career as an Educational Assistant in the Pembina Trails School Division. She loved working in the classroom and subbed until she landed a permanent EA position. As she fulfilled her duties at General Byng and Dalhousie Schools with love and diligence, she made numerous friends and while she wouldn’t discuss her beliefs in the workplace, she was passionate about her faith and always sought to show Christ’s love to students and staff.
Survived by Tim, Elizabeth also leaves behind her daughter Kathleen (Jordan) Day, siblings Joan (Brad) Seefried; John Thompson, Thomas (Sherri) Thompson, and a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents Gary “Tommy” and Helena Thompson.
Our gratitude goes out to Drs. Benjamin Goldenberg, Chris Ogaranko, and their team at Cancer Care Manitoba (Victoria Hospital); Dr. John Reda, Dorothy Johannson (RN) and the team at Cornish 6, Misericordia Hospital; the coordinators and home care teams at the Winnipeg Regional Palliative Care Program and Access Fort Garry. Everyone did much to make Liz comfortable since this began. Thank you for your consistent professionalism, dedication, empathy, and compassion you have shown us throughout our journey.
To honour Elizabeth’s memory, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, Manitoba Mood Disorders, Gideon’s International in Canada or the Dalhousie School Breakfast Program
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23:6
Due to pandemic restrictions, the funeral is private and will be inside with five immediate family members.
It is intended that Elizabeth's homecoming service for friends and family will be live-streamed at 1:00 p.m. CDT, Sunday, November 22, 2020. Viewing is planned to take place outside Church of the Rock, 1397 Buffalo Pl, Winnipeg, MB, with the casket inside the church, overlooking the west parking lot between 11:30 AM -12:30 PM. This will allow everyone time to go home and watch the service on either Facebook or Zoom. During the viewing, please follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.
If you wish to watch and need clarification on any details, please contact family members.
For accessing ZOOM, please text …204-799-0902 with your name and phone number.