Hetty Pawlinsky

Peacefully at the Swan Valley Hospital on September 27th, 2021, Hetty passed away at the age of 91 years and 4 months.

She will leave to mourn and be deeply missed by her daughters Maxine (Gordon) Zamzow, Heather Pawlinsky of Swan River and Twylla (Andy) McKendry of Winnipeg.  One brother Wilbert Schoenrath (Karen) of Swan River and brother-in-law Wayne Middleton of Strathroy Ontario, as well as Grandsons Craig Zamzow (Marni) and Chris (Jen) and great grand children, Coral, Bryn, Neva, Crystal and Matthew, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Hetty was born at home on May 20th 1930; the first born to German immigrants Kate and Henry Schoenrath.  Mom attended school until grade 8 and then helped on the family farm in Minitonas as well as looking after her younger siblings.

Hetty was married to Stan Pawlinsky on March 1st of 1954, and together they raised 4 daughters in Swan River. She was predeceased by Stan in July of 2008, and her youngest daughter Roberta in November of 2011, as well as her parents Henry (1998), Kate (1982), brother Henry (1944) sisters Lily Middleton (2015), Erna (2018) and brother-in-law Fred Betcher (2021).

In the 1950’s Mom worked at Bayne’s restaurant, where she met Stan, she also worked at Lamb’s drug store and in Dr. Jonat’s office.   In the early 1960’s, she ran the concession at the curling rink, before being hired by the dominion bureau of statistics to conduct labour force surveys, and census. She was also the weather observer in Swan River.

Mom liked to garden and we always plenty of fresh or frozen or canned food—no one went hungry at our house. For relaxing Mom enjoyed nature and time was spent at the lake, supervising Stan in the boat or feeding the wildlife.

Throughout her life, Hetty had many interests, she was a charter member of the Order of the Royal Purple, as well as a member of Eastern Star.  She enjoyed crafts, and was always knitting, crocheting or doing needlepoint, she shared her creations with family. 

Mom and Dad, didn’t travel much while they were both working, they had two big trips with Uncle Wilbert and Auntie Karen, one to the Maritimes in the early 70’s and to Europe in 1977 to visit German relatives.   There was also the family trip to Disney World in 1999.  Once Dad was retired, they spent many winters out in BC with Heather and Robbie, as they enjoyed the milder climate and lack of shovelling snow.  Once Robbie became ill, their time in BC increased to be near her.

After Dad passed in 2008, Mom moved into the mid-town estates where she stayed until 2017, and then moved to the Swan Valley lodge, when her health was deteriorating.

Mom loved her grandsons, when she was living in her condo, she could see the credit union from her window, and always said that Craig was working too hard, as the lights were always on in his office. She was always interested in Chris’s crops, what was growing in the garden or happening at the lake.  She was happy to be around her great grand children as well, and enjoyed when they always made a special effort to visit her on Halloween in their costumes.

Hetty always did what she loved to do, she had a positive attitude and was generous in so many ways.   We will remember her with fondness and love, and she will remain in our hearts forever.

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