Obituary of Amelia Donalda Bestland

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our dear wife and sister Amelia (Amy) Bestland (nee Bereziuk) on April 12, 2025. Deeply mourning her passing is her husband Mark; daughter Robyn; sisters Sonia, Joyce, and Joanne; brothers-in-law Edward and Johann; her five nieces; and her nephew.

Amy was predeceased by her parents; sister Patricia; and dear brothers-in law John and Kent.

The youngest of five daughters, Amy was born on March 6, 1956 to Maria (Mary) and Joseph Bereziuk. She was raised on the family farm, that was founded by her grandfather in the town of Sundown.

As the “baby” of the family, Amy grew up with the care and concern of not only her parents and extended family, but also her four older sisters who sometimes treated her like their child too. After graduating high school Amy lived with her sisters Joyce and then Joanne while attending the University of Manitoba for her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Degree in 1972.

After graduation she travelled Europe with a friend visiting London, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France and the Canary Islands, which helped fuel her lust for adventure. Returning home, she then worked as a Social Worker/ Manager for several years at the Seven Oaks Youth Centre where she took pride in helping children get off the streets and into safe homes.

She married her first love Darryl Cooper, who she met at Dorothy Lake, at the age of 27 and two years later they had their beautiful daughter Robyn Cooper. After the marriage ended in 1991 Amy then married her long-time friend Larry Gel who adopted Robyn. Together they made a home for Larry’s two children, Rick and Carrie, and Robyn, often also taking in other young people who needed a place for awhile.

Later Amy became restless (partly due to her struggle with depression) so she took safe haven in her mother’s home until moving to Red Lake, Ontario at the age of 51 and began working in retail where she loved the interaction with people.

There she met and became fast friends with the quiet and stable Mark Bestland, and after a few years together they decided to move back to Winnipeg and make a life together. Their marriage on July 11, 2015 was a lovely event and Amy looked stunning in her exquisite off-white gown and Mark in his Armani suit. They lived quietly together in Winnipeg for many wonderful years until her passing. Their life together included enjoying time on Mark’s motorbike, their sailboat at Silver Harbour, and taking short roads trips. One of the highlights of her life was a beautiful trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico with her sisters to honour their mother’s wishes that they enjoy a trip together after her passing.

In 2017 she was told she had a weak heart and had suffered a minor heart attack but that did not slow her down much. Although her body started to fail and she became frail toward the end, her highly intelligent mind endured.

To sum up Amy’s life, her husbands and sisters would say that she is best described as a “Free Spirit" who lived in the moment. She loved fashion, always dressed up in style in designer clothes, was creative and loved making floral arrangements, decorating her homes with exotic things, music and dancing. She also loved and appreciated the on-going support she received from her devoted husband Mark, her close-knit family and her cherished friends.

We love you Amy and know you are still dancing up there somewhere.

Cremation has taken place and announcement of Celebration of Life to follow.