We are sad to announce the passing of our beautiful Mother Maria Daher (nee Moes), early Saturday morning, May 7, 2022 at 5:46 a.m. at the Middlechurch Personal Care Home. After enduring over two years of COVID, isolation and limited visitation we were determined to celebrate Mother’s Day with her on Sunday, but that was not to be. Late Friday evening at 11:00 p.m. we were notified of her critical condition. Ursula, Rose and Barbara immediately gathered by her side. Mom knew we were there. We prayed with her and her last words were “I want to sleep.” Barbara held her in her arms and sang “You are my Sunshine” as she took her last breath.
Mom was born in Rachine, Poland on November 25, 1929. Her parents were Anton and Maria (Moesner) Moess. She was the only girl and had four brothers who have all since passed: Joseph, John, William, and Rudy. She was surprised that she outlived her brothers, who, in her mind were big and strong. During the 2nd World War, with a horse and wagon, her family left their home in Poland and fled to Germany. She lived in Liebenburg, Germany where she married our father, Emil Daher. In 1953, Mom immigrated to Canada with our father, nine month old daughter Ursula and Uncle Alfred. They sailed to Canada on the ship, Beaverbrae.
Mom is survived by her daughters, Ursula (Dan), Rosemarie, Barbara (Brian) and son David. Grandchildren Paul (Karen), Dale (Anna), Adam (Vanessa), Joseph (Jackie), Andrea, Ryley, Steven, Nicole (Paul), Bryanna, Jordyn, Kyleigha, Melanie, Angela, Sandra, Cadena, Amanda, Samantha, Dillan, DeeDee and many great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her late husband Emil Daher and sons: Edmund Daher, Peter Daher and William Daher.
As an immigrant, with a language barrier and no supports our mother faced many obstacles. Her life was difficult and though it would have broken others, our mom worked hard, tried to do what she thought was best for her family of seven children, and did most of it on her own. Time did not always permit her to go to mass but she was a devout Catholic. She stood five tall and had beautiful black hair that turned white as she aged. She had a great sense of humor, liked playing Bingo, liked to joke, loved going to dances and all animals especially cats and dogs. In the 1960’s Mom worked at Perths on Portage Ave. for several years. While the kids were growing up she did house cleaning and was often requested by others wanting her services. Mom made the absolute best perogys, cabbage rolls, borscht, no recipe required. I often told her that had she opened up a restaurant, she would be well-off!
Our mom and dad’s relationship collapsed and they divorced. Mom met Jim and for many years he was her companion and together they had fun. They travelled all over Manitoba, flew to Arizona to see mom’s brother and it was a happy time in her life. She missed him when he passed in 1996.
Our mother became ill in 2015 and was hospitalized for several weeks. It was determined that she had dementia and should not be living on her own. It was heartbreaking news as mom was always very self-reliant, constantly on the go. She resided at the Middlechurch Personal Care Home from 2015 until her passing. We tried to make her room as comfortable as possible with family pictures, flowers, trinkets but we always knew that she did not regard this as her home. Dementia robbed her of memory but with a little nudge, she still knew who we were. She looked forward to her outings and family visits. In the courtyard she enjoyed sitting in the sun, watching the squirrels and the birds. COVID and the past two years really affected her physically, mentally and socially. It was extremely frustrating to the family not being able to see her for several months and then only having limited visitation. Her health and mobility declined. We are thankful that we took her on an outing the day before Easter and again the Tuesday before her passing. Our mother loved all her children ‘unconditionally’. She would devote herself to the ones that needed her most as she knew the others were ok! She was happiest when all her children were together. We love her and will miss her very much. Rest in Peace Mom….your family is waiting for you.
Thank you to Mom’s resident friends at Middlechurch. Vicky would give her cards and often visit mom in her room; Wilf would make sure mom was ok and always tell the daughter to drive home safely and Guisseppe always had a big smile for mom.
Special thank you to her primary nurses Reena and Anna and all the other staff who cared for our mom at Middlechurch. An extra special thanks goes to Aizza who helped make our mom’s transition as comfortable and painless as possible.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg, with viewing at 11:00 a.m. Refreshments will be served after the service. Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery.
Pall Bearers are her grandsons: Paul Gagnon, Adam Cecchini, Ryley McGhee, Jordyn McGhee, Joseph Whitford, Steven Daher with alternate (Paul Lennington).