Jane Maria Holatko

Jane is survived by her loving husband Jerry of 40 years, her beloved son Shawn and his wife Taya, her adored grandson Weston, and her dear mother Halina Galston. She also leaves behind her brothers-in law James and Charles Holatko and their families, sister-in-law Linda Holatko, many relatives throughout Canada and overseas, as well as many friends, particularly Diana Wierucki of Calgary and Pat Himaras and Donna Beilhartz of White Rock, BC.

She was predeceased by her father, Antoni Garlicki, her beloved grandmother Janina Mroz - with whom she had a very close and special relationship, her father-in-law Anthony Holatko, and her mother-in-law Helen Holatko.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1955, Jane grew up in St. Boniface. She was very proud of her Polish heritage and spoke Polish fluently throughout her entire life. She was a skilled piano player and completed lessons from the Royal Conservatory of Music and taught piano for many years. She was the church organist at St. Andrew Bobola Church for some years, and did extensive work for her mother on the church’s 50th anniversary history book.

Jane was smart and determined, earning the Governor General's Academic Medal in Grade 12 at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate. Following high school, she pursued post-secondary education and received her degree from the University of Manitoba.

Jane’s professional career started with a Winnipeg chartered accounting firm, where she furthered her education by obtaining her Chartered Accountant designation in 1981. Seeking new challenges, she took a new job which allowed her to travel internationally. In 1983 she joined the Government of Manitoba, first working in the Department of Education and then the Department of Finance where she attained the position of Director of Internal Audit and Consulting Service in 2005 until her retirement in 2016.

At age 5, Jane started to experience hearing loss which grew worse over the years, necessitating the use of two hearing aids. Her strength and determination allowed her to overcome this disability both academically and professionally. In 1999 she received a cochlear implant which would eventually compensate for much of the hearing loss and vastly improve her life. Unfortunately, her ability to appreciate music again was greatly diminished. Technology such as closed captioning, email and texting were helpful in daily life.

Jane and Jerry were married in 1983 and their son Shawn was born in 1985. They lived in the Charleswood area of Winnipeg where Shawn attended school. She and Jerry worked hard at their beautiful house and garden which they designed themselves. The garden was full of flowers, vegetables, and apple trees, which they harvested and Jane made into countless apple pies and jars of applesauce. Her baking was legendary - we will never forget the trays of tasty goodies in her freezer and fridge. She loved entertaining and hosting birthdays, Thanksgiving, Easter, and other family get-togethers. Jane absolutely loved Christmas - making and serving turkey dinners with all the trimmings and endless homemade baking and decorating the house. She loved playing Christmas carols on the piano and added so much joy to the holidays. She made everything special. We will miss that.

Jane was a loving mother who supported her son Shawn in all his endeavours. She was always there when you needed her. She was generous with her time and talents. Shawn’s friends never turned down an invitation to dinner and the fridge was always open! When Shawn moved to BC, she and Jerry followed after their retirement and moved to BC in 2016 - first to White Rock and finally to Victoria, a place she dearly loved. She welcomed Shawn’s wife Taya into the family with open arms. Jane was thrilled to become a grandmother after the birth of her grandson, Weston. They developed a very close bond and spent lots of time together – playing, baking, exploring parks, and giving him hugs!

Jane and Jerry were inseparable and they loved travel and winter vacations in exotic locales. For them, retirement in BC felt like a full-time vacation with abundant nature, beaches, swimming, walking and numerous day trips. A favorite place was Butchart Gardens. Other favorite pastimes included gardening, reading, Sudoku, beating Jerry at Scrabble, and watching the sunset every night. She had a great sense of style and her favorite color was red. She loved to laugh and always made time for others. She touched a lot of different people in her life. Jane was a very devoted daughter and mother.

Jane, Mom, Grandma, you will be in our hearts forever and we will always miss you. We love you.

Till we meet again.

'Do not stand at my grave and weep' By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Wieczny odpoczynek racz jej dac Panie

A celebration of life for Jane will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at First Memorial Funeral Services & Garden of Memories, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC V8Y1B4. Following the celebration of life will be a memorial reception from 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM.

Condolence cards can be sent to First Memorial Funeral Services where they will then be forwarded to the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane's memory may be made to Victoria General Hospital, https://www.victoriahf.ca/.