Obituary of Hertzel Ihmer Naumoff

30 seconds later and you were gone.

40 days have passed, your journey here is over, and you now ascend into the heavens.

Our hearts will always be broken, but we will cherish your memory and celebrate your life every single day.

Surrounded by her family, Hertzel Ihmer Naumoff passed away peacefully at the age of 74 at St. Boniface Hospital on Sunday December 10, 2023. Her journey and battle with cancer had come to an end.

Her battle started alone, became two, and then grew into a large support group of co-workers, friends, family, and the amazing team of nurses and doctors at Cancer Care Manitoba and our local Hospitals. Thank you, we would not have made it this far without your compassion and unwavering support throughout this journey. God bless you all.

Hertzel leaves to mourn her husband Valerik, daughter Darlene, son Peter (Maria), and daughter Tara (George). She will be greatly missed by her grandsons Mark, Braxton (Jessica), Nicholas, and Andrew, and by her furry grandbabies Abby and Lexi. Sisters Yvonne Reid, Myna (Jim) Haluck, Karen (Gary) Lipchen, and Rhonda (Jeff) Tipping. Brothers Paul (Krys) Schinkel and Allen Schinkel. Brothers-in-law Wally Phillips, John McKay, and sister-in-law Sandy Betker. Also, sister-in-law Nina (David) Park and brother-in-law Alex (Robert) Naumoff, and many more nieces and nephews.

Hertzel was predeceased by her parents Violet and Paul Schinkel. Brothers Don and Ernie Schinkel. Sisters Marlene McKay and Donna Phillips. Brothers-in-law John Tarka, Garry Reid, Gerald Betker. Mother and father-in-law Sofia and Peter Naumoff, and brother-in-law Nick Naumoff. Son-in-law Richard Domenco.

Hertzel was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 4, 1949. 1 of 11 children in the Schinkel family. She married Valerik Naumoff on September 23,1969. Together they raised 3 children Darlene, Peter, and Tara.

Life was not always easy, it had its difficulties, and came with many health-related challenges. Mother sacrificed everything to put a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, food on our table, and she quite often went without. Despite those hardships and health matters, she did her best to support her family and provide them with the necessary tools, guidance, and words of encouragement to be independent and successful. Her love for family was strong and reciprocated in return by those around her. We will always love you and can never thank you enough, mother.

Mother did not have any hobbies unless you considered work a hobby.

She spent 25+ years at Seven Oaks General Hospital managing the cafeteria. She enjoyed her job. Never missing a day, often without taking a vacation, and was known to walk through the snow during a blizzard to take care of patients and staff. She even helped deliver a baby in one of the washrooms, this was certainly not in her job description. She retired from the hospital in 2006, and a large retirement party was held. The cafeteria was packed with friends, co-workers, and hospital staff. Management asked her to make a speech during her party, something she wasn’t too fond of doing, but she walked up there with confidence and thanked her many co-workers for their support throughout the years and then informed them all that her retirement wasn’t planned but decided by management. I could not have been prouder of my mother at that very moment, well played.

During her brief retirement, she helped look after her two grandchildren Nicholas and Andrew. That was enough to motivate her to return to the workforce in 2008, at Concordia Village. Funny that is all it took, she loved all her grandchildren, but genuinely enjoyed her work.

She spent the remainder of her working days at Concordia Village. At first, she was apprehensive and nervous about her new job and making mistakes. However, she excelled in her new role in management and quickly gained the confidence of her peers. Like her previous job, she often went above and beyond and could be found in the early hours of the morning before her day started, baking cakes for the residents in Concordia Village. A treat I am most certain they enjoyed and will be missed. Not too shabby for a gal from the north end without a high school diploma. Well done, mother. Your talent and success did not go unnoticed.

Throughout this journey, our mother did not like the attention that cancer had brought. Although she stayed positive and kept a brave face for those that were around her, she never wanted to be treated any differently. Most important, she did not want to be a burden to anyone. Preparing for the worst, she fought diligently with each treatment, remained strong, and never gave up. She is our “super woman.”

As per our mother’s wishes, no formal service will be held, and a private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Cancer Care Manitoba in Hertzel’s name would be greatly appreciated.

I held your hand and watched you take your last breath.

30 seconds later and you were gone, and I kissed you goodbye.

I will miss you the most.