August 3, 1918 – January 25, 2015

With saddened hearts, the family of Gabrielle (Gabe) Merkowsky (nee Bérubé) wish to announce her passing into God’s loving hands on January 25, 2015 at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan at the age of 96.  Predeceased by her loving husband Anthony (Tony) Merkowsky, Gabe will rejoice in being united with Tony in Heaven.  Gabe is also predeceased by: her parents; Tony’s parents; her brothers Homer, Gerard and Paul Bérubé; sister Beatrice Fortin; nephew Jean-Paul Fortin; brothers-in-law Roger Fortin, Adrien Begin and Rock Perreault, all of Quebec.   An infant grandson Joseph also predeceased her along with members of Tony’s family; Anne & Jack Stenson, Joe & Cecile Merkowsky, John & Noreen Merkowsky, Wally Edge, George & Kaye Merkowsky and son-in-law Fred Stephens.  She will be forever missed, but never forgotten by daughter Carmen Stephens of Prince Albert and her family: grandchildren Derril Hackl (Carolyn), great grandchildren Dustin (Amanda), great great granddaughter Nicole, Dyllon (Andrea), and Jamie Hackl; Roland Hackl (Lynn), great grandson Emerson; Karen Hackl-Graham (Rémo Rea) great grandchildren Mattias, Eric, Duncan and Carter; Craig Hackl (Tammi) and great granddaughter Michelle.  She will also be dearly missed by daughter Linda and son-in-law Rick Leaderhouse, and their family: grandchildren Jodi Ens (Jeff Kozun), great grandsons Rylan & Kyler; Shawn Leaderhouse (Nicole), great grandson, Kingston.  She is survived by: sisters Cecile Marmen and Laurette Bérubé; brother and sister-in-law Herman and Evelyn Merkowsky; sisters-in-law Madeline Edge and Dot Merkowsky.  Many nieces and nephews from across Canada will also fondly remember Gabe.  Gabe was born in St. Luc-Matane, Quebec on August 3, 1918.  She was raised and took her schooling in Mont-Joli and Gaspe Quebec.  She was employed as a secretary in Montreal until she met and married Tony in Montreal, Quebec.  After the war, she and Tony moved back to Prince Albert where they raised their two daughters, Carmen and Linda.  Gabe was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  To know her, was to know a very special and remarkable lady who was so caring of others and a loyal friend, she always gave of herself in many ways.  In her younger days she took great pride in her garden and flowerbeds.  In later years, she and Tony enjoyed travelling from one end of Canada to the other.  They also spent some winters in Mesa, Arizona with side trips to Las Vegas.  Mom loved to spend time at Sunnyside Beach with family and friends where many good times and conversations took place at her trailer.  She truly loved her furry friends as part of her family and her little Gucci will miss her.  Her legacy of love, sharing, hard work and determination will forever guide her family’s lives.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m.  on Friday, January 30th, 2015 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic  Church, 260 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Celebrant Reverend Father Roque Concepcion.   Condolences or memories of Gabe may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Donations in Gabe’s memory may be made to the Prince Albert SPCA, PO Box 1832, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6J9 or to a Charity of Donor’s Choice.   Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel (306-922-4729).

• Date : 2015-01-27
• Location : Prince Albert, SK