Mildred Narvey

Peacefully, in her sleep, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, Mildred left her most blessed life.

Born to Charles and Anne (Slonim) Karbachinsky, on July 22, 1928, the story goes that Mildred’s father sat on the steps of the Melville, Saskatchewan hospital and cried when he learned the son that he’d hoped for was yet another daughter. Of course, as all happy stories go, Mildred was soon the apple of her daddy’s eye.

The Karbachinsky’s moved Anne and their daughters to Winnipeg in 1942, while Charles remained in Melville with his wholesale business. Winnipeg offered greater social and educational opportunities for Mildred and her 2 older sisters, Yetta and Marion. Mildred excelled at school and after high school took the streetcar from the family home in Elmwood to university in Fort Garry. Mildred graduated with a degree in commerce from the University of Manitoba at the top of her class.

Mildred met the love of her life, Harold, on a double date. It mattered little, that Harold was not Mildred’s date for the evening, the two of them realized they were meant to be together and were engaged within the month and married 3 months later, on December 25, 1952, as the family store, Narvey’s would be closed for Christmas Day.

Mildred and Harold made Portage la Prairie their home for the remainder of their lives. The Narvey family home was built in 1954 on the corner of Portage and Main Street (3rd St SE) Shortly after moving into their new home, they welcomed a son, Evan Bruce and their dream family was complete with the arrival of Kathryn Ruth two years later.

Mildred considered her life to have been most wonderful and recognized how fortunate she truly was to have a life she loved. For over 70 years in Portage, with a sharp wit (and sometimes tongue) she made many dear friends. She threw dinner parties, taught piano, knit, sang with choirs, belonged to clubs, travelled with Harold, loved shopping (especially for high heels to wear to her grandchildren’s weddings) bowled, golfed, and practiced Tai Chi. She dressed in style and her culinary/baking skills were first rate. Mildred loved her garden, and her pets, and never missed her glass of sherry and crossword puzzle everyday at 5 sharp.

Mildred will be dearly missed by her children Bruce and Cheri Narvey, and Kathi and Stuart Greenfield; beloved grandchildren Sara, Shae (Sara), and Jory (Jessie) Greenfield and Stefanie (Cameron) MacAulay, Daniel (Anna), Jordan (Ellen), Megan, and Bradley Narvey. Blessed with 7 great grandchildren, Jack and Madeline; Ezra and Elodie; Jack and Olivia; and baby Drayden. Also left to cherish their memories of Mildred, are her childhood friend Helen Orestes, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A very sincere thank you to the caring community of Douglas Campbell Lodge and Mildred’s dedicated companions, of the past 6 years, for their support and many kindnesses.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 11, 2022 at Rosh Pina Memorial Park. Pallbearers were Bruce Narvey, Stuart and Shae Greenfield, Sydney Weinstein, Marty Tadman and Murray Greenfield. Honorary pallbearers were Daniel, Jordan and Bradley Narvey.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Mildred’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4G2 .

May her memory be a blessing.

McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com