Obituary of Nellie Pudlo

PUDLO: Nellie Margaret Pudlo (nee Demanski). After a long struggle with Parkinson's disease, Nell Pudlo, age 96, of Brandon, MB, died peacefully on April 2, 2020. Mom had been saying that she was ready to go have coffee with Dad. Born May 15, 1923 to the late Henry and Minnie Demanski (Krupa), Nell grew up on the family farms in the Pipestone and Brandon areas. She married Anthony (Tony) Pudlo on October 23, 1944 in St Hedwig's Roman Catholic Church. She was predeceased by her son Ronald in 1949; her daughter Mary in 1958; her husband Tony in 1987; her brothers Walter, Karl, Stanley, and John; and her sisters Bernice Luke and Jessie Haggarty. Nell is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Fran and John Hawkins, Gloria and Ken Heide, and Darlene Duce; her sister Lorraine Bailey; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many special lifelong friends. A devoted grandmother, she also leaves behind her grandchildren: Patti-Jo (Jamie) Burt, Chris (April) Heide, Craig (Nicolle) Hawkins, Rhonda Heide, Suzanne Heide, Mitchell Duce, and Miles Duce; and her great-grandchildren: Tessa & Kayla Burt, Joshua, Zachary, & Peyton Heide, and Rayna & Hunter Hawkins. Always a hard worker, Nell worked as a waitress when her children were young, then for many years as a salesclerk/cashier at Macleod's Department Store until her retirement. She always enjoyed entertaining family and friends, and was known for her good cooking, especially her cabbage rolls, perogies, and countless apple pies made with apples from the tree in the backyard! On top of all of this, Nell's house was always spotless, never going to bed after guests left until her house was cleaned up just the way she liked it! Nell had lifetime memberships with the Sokol Hall, the Women's Auxiliary at St Hedwig's Church, and NDP. She enjoyed socializing with her neighbours, 10-pin bowling, dancing, travelling, and driving to visit family and friends with Tony. After her retirement, Nell didn't slow down – 5-pin bowling, volunteering at Prairie Oasis bingo, playing cribbage, clog dancing, knitting, mall walking – and yet still finding time to be available to help out her family. Nell continued to travel – to Florida, Las Vegas, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland – on cruises, on bus tours, etc. When Parkinson's disease made it too difficult to manage on her own, Nell moved into Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home. She settled in very quickly, getting involved in most of the activities they have to offer. She looked forward to the almost weekly visits from her close friend, Hilda Langston. She enjoyed sharing candy and sweets with the other residents and the staff. She always appreciated the friendships she made and the care that she received. Due to the coronavirus, there will be a private funeral mass attended by immediate family only, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, contributions in her memory can be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 7-414 Westmount Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R2J 1P2. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. "Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal; love leaves a memory that no one can steal."