It is with profound sadness that the Zadravec Family must announce the passing of deeply beloved Teresa Nancy Zadravec in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 10th, 2019.

 

Teresa was the first child of Stjepan and Marie Zadravec (nee Halpin), born in the Spring of 1960 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Predeceased by her grandparents, Kathleen and Charles Halpin and beloved aunts Karen, Gail, and Eileen; she was survived by her parents, Stjepan and Marie Zadravec (nee Halpin), brother Steve, sister-in-law Kathy Guimond, niece Allison Guimond and nephew Matthew Guimond, sister Tina, and nephew Levon Zadravec-Powell.

 

A charming and sweet baby, Teresa won a "photogenic contest" as Winnipeg's most Beautiful Baby in 1962. From infancy to adulthood, Teresa was beautiful inside and out. Part of a large family, Teresa was a fondly remembered niece and favoured babysitter for many cousins. Unusually poised, Teresa saved her little sister from a devastating apartment fire when she was 11 years old.  Mostly a very responsible child, she could also lead some fun and naughty times for her adoring brother and sister. From playing board games to supplying underage beer, Teresa was an amazing and loving sister.

 

Growing up in the Northend, Teresa learned Ukrainian as a second language in the manner of the time. Popular in school and a favorite among her large family, Teresa was a quiet, gentle child who blossomed into an enormously funny, thoughtful and beautiful young woman. Music spoke to Teresa; listening to the Beatles, copying albums onto cassette tape and going to concerts were lifelong hobbies. In the heyday of Selkirk Avenue shopping, she and her friends would shop the latest albums and 45s in the music store and buy blue jeans at Oretzkis.

 

In 1979, known as Teri among her friends, she and longterm partner, Bentley Chilton, and brother Steve made their way to Vancouver, BC. They lived near English Bay and Teri loved spending time at the beaches and pools. Teri and Ben had a very large circle of friends and led a very social, active life; baseball, motorcycle trips, camping, bbqs, dogs, birthdays and Christmas parties, their home by Trout Lake was always filled with friends and family. Ben and Teri returned to visit Winnipeg frequently and they remained very present in their families’ lives.

 

A gifted athlete, Teresa played co-ed slow pitch baseball in Surrey, BC for The Grogs for many years; she met some of her best, lifelong friends there and was a dedicated Tulameen Tournament player and float participant. Teresa shared a lifetime of fun experiences with The Grogs and their community; we wish to thank them for the many wonderful memories. Her family fondly remembers her killer bowling skills and dance moves, archery abilities, barroom darts sharking, and card game cheating.

 

Teresa loved to travel and saw much of Canada and the USA by road trip. An excellent travelling companion, she could make you laugh, would share her snacks, and had good music picked out. Always ready for an adventure, Teresa almost died white-water rafting in Costa Rica, jumped on random streetcars to tour Old Zagreb, played the slots in Reno with her mom, did the chicken dance at a social in Kildona with her dad, jet-skied all over the Okanagan and Shuswap, ocean kayaked on the west coast, chopped wood at campsites everywhere, and swam in seriously cold water.  

 

After a 17-year career with Essilor Canada that she enjoyed very much, Teresa began her 22-year career with the Federal Government of Canada providing help to others. She was known as infinitely patient and kind to clients and colleagues, and she volunteered for over 20 years assisting people struggling with challenges to complete income tax returns, navigate government, and resolve issues. Teresa had a genius for organization and her warmth, quick mind, and humour were appreciated personally and professionally. Many people relied on Teresa and she lived for her family and many friends. Her family would like to express their gratitude to her colleagues at the Winnipeg Tax Centre, Vancouver Tax Centre, and Central City STC for their loving friendship. We would like to offer our condolences for their loss too.

 

 Teresa gave herself to her family completely: always noting birthdays and special events; traveling home for Christmas and summertime holidays; arranging appointments and making sure everyone in her world was taken care of. In 2015, Teresa returned from Vancouver, BC buying the house next door to her childhood home to be close to her aging parents and brother's family. In this time, Teresa was very happy to be with her family, enjoying her work and colleagues, and loving her home with her cherished companion, her dog of 12 years, Medo. Trips to Calgary, Vancouver, Desolation Sound, Ottawa, and Seattle filled out a busy and happy life.

 

Sincerely missed by so many, her family has endured her absence. Her mother loved her very much and misses her everyday.