Borgny Kristine Heinrichs

With sadness, the family announces the passing of Borgny, on October 23, 2020, on her 88th birthday, at Pembina Place Mennonite Care Home in Winnipeg. Left to cherish her memory are her son Larry (Rhoda), grandson Cody, daughter Anna (Brent). She was predeceased by her husband Milton. Mom was born Madla, Norway. She moved to Saskatchewan as a baby. Mom and Dad got to know each other as they went to the same deaf school in Saskatoon for one year. After Mom left school, she worked at a camp resort in Saskatchewan till 1959, then one day Milton turned up and asked for her hand in marriage. Before he left for Saskatchewan he told his cousins that he was going to bring back his wife. His cousins did not believe him until he came back with Borgny and they were married 2 weeks later. After they were settled down on the family farm in Manitoba, Mom and Dad went back to Saskatchewan and brought Mom’s parents back to Manitoba to live on the same farm with them. Borgny was a mother and a homemaker on the farm and 15 years later the farm was sold and they moved to Altona, and after that, they moved to Winnipeg. Borgny enjoyed playing bingo at the deaf centre seniors club and also 8 years at the Niakawa apartment where they lived. After Milton passed away, Mom developed early dementia and moved into Pembina Place nursing home. Borgny had a difficult 5 1/2 year battle with dementia and struggled with communication in the nursing home. Anna went to see her Mom every day to help her with communication and to make sure she was well cared for. Borgny won peoples hearts with her beautiful smile and sense of humour. She was always curious of what was going on around her. She tried to get involved with the activities even though she could not hear but watched facial expressions closely. Anna was by her bedside during her last few days. Borgny’s cousin Helen Friesen sent a message to Anna, reminding her of the time when Milton was dying and how she motioned to Milton the sign of JESUS and pointed upward to heaven and said that if he was ready, he could go home to Heaven. At that moment, Borgny watched Helen and with her hands she pointed her finger to the palms of her hands, then signed to word “JESUS” and looked up towards heaven and it looked like she was in total agreement. How wise! So now when Borgny was struggling and kept looking at Anna. Anna did not know what she was wanting. Then Anna pointed to the palm of her hands and pointed towards Heaven and signed the name of “JESUS” to her Mom and told her that she could now also go home to heaven and see JESUS. Less than 5 minutes later she passed and went to Heaven. It was Anna’s hope that if her Mom was going to pass away, that she could live until her birthday so that she could sing and dance in Heaven as that she could not do here one earth. That wish was fulfilled as that was exactly what happened. Mom passed away on the day of her 88th birthday. A private family funeral has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pembina Place Mennonite personal care home. The family would like to thank all the staff at the Pembina Place Care home for taking care of Borgny, especially the workers that went out of their way to communicate with our Mom.