ANN BALEWICZ

ANN BALEWICZ
Ann Balewicz (nee Valastin) of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Joseph Thomas Balewicz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Ann is survived by her brother, Vladislav, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Also left to cherish her memory are her good friends James and Michelle Strong and their children Nicole, Lisa, and Colin of Terrace Bay, Ontario.
Ann was predeceased by her parents, Maria and Stephan Valastin; her brothers, Jan and Raphael (in infancy); her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Stanley Balewicz; her sisters-in-law, Mary Valastin, Delia Valastin, and Doreine Valastin; her brothers-in-law, Albert and Stanley Balewicz; and her nephew, Mark Valastin.
Ann was born in Broderick, Saskatchewan where she was raised and educated. Following graduation from high school she moved to St. Boniface, Manitoba to attend the St Boniface School of Nursing. Following her graduation as an R.N. she began her nursing career at the St. Boniface Hospital. In 1953, she moved to Edmonton to work at the Royal Alexandra and the Edmonton General Hospitals. Always a lifelong learner, Ann studied for a year at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and completed a Post Graduate Course of Surgical Supervision and Management and studied advanced cardiac and thoracic surgery. She returned to St Boniface Hospital as an R.N. in the surgical department. It was during this time that Ann met her beloved Joseph; they married in 1960 and moved to Medicine Hat. Joseph, a member of the RCAF, worked at the Canadian Forces Base Suffield, and Ann returned to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, retiring in 1977 having been promoted to the position of Surgical Unit Supervisor. Following her retirement, Ann became a devoted member of the St Boniface Hospital Nursing Alumni Association.
In their retirement, Ann and Joseph traveled extensively, visiting family throughout BC, Alberta, and Manitoba and returning to Europe to visit relatives in Slovakia. They cruised the Panama Canal. Joseph passed away in 1993 following 33 years of marriage. At the time of Joseph’s death, they had been planning a RCAF Veterans’ Alaskan cruise. Despite missing her loving partner, Ann moved forward and completed this cruise in Joseph’s honor. Ann and Joseph were passionate stamp and coin collectors, avid readers, and loved history and politics. Their summer days were filled with work in their vegetable and flower gardens in three different yards and a ritual game of cribbage after lunch. Ann was an avid sports fan, particularly football and her beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ann was a strong, kind, and generous woman who spent much time volunteering for the Catholic church, helping friends and neighbors by driving them to appointments or on outings, and frequently checking in on friends who were housebound, ill, or in need of a visit.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 6:55 pm. Vigil Rites (Prayers) will follow at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 – 2nd Avenue NE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5Z9, on Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, at 11:00 am with Fr. Iqbal Khurshid, Celebrant. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to www.saamis.com and joining the live webcast on Ann’s memorial page on the above dates and times. A virtual guest book is available on the livestream page for those participating remotely. Interment will follow in the Roman Catholic Section at Hillside Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial gifts in Ann’s memory may be made to Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1, The Society of the Little Flower, Canadian Division, Niagara Falls, Ontario, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Ann Balewicz. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
www.saamis.com
inquiry@saamis.com
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CGR Holdings Ltd.