Obituary of Freada Amelia (Smolensky) Heinekamp, Lingan

We, the family, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Freada Amelia Heinekamp, 83, on Tuesday April 5th 2022, at home. She passed with her loving husband of 65 years John (Hank) at her side. Freada was the daughter of the late Emil and Lucy (Penney) Smolensky. Besides her parents, Freada is predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Cecelia and Bronny Lasovski, and brother, Gus, in infancy; brother-in-law, Mickey Mohr, and her beloved daughter, Sandra, in infancy. She is survived by her five sons, Herman (Shirley) of New Brunswick, Morgan of Ontario, Eugene (Iris) of Scotchtown, Delbert of New Waterford and Michael (Joyce) of New Waterford; brother, Eddie (Gina) Smolensky, Lingan; sister, Violet Mohr, Oshawa, ON.; grandchildren, Sandra Heinekamp-Charlong (Ian), Samantha Heinekamp (Doug), Anne Marie/Charles Heinekamp, George Woodland, Michelle O’Connell (Kyle), Charlie Heinekamp, and Liam Marsh. Freada was also great-grandmother to Gavin, Seth, Esme, Gabriel and Raelynn. Freada was always working and was an incredibly talented woman. She worked for many years in the laundry room at New Waterford Hospital. In addition to this she was well known in the community for her ceramics business. Many households in town still put out her beautiful ceramic trees each Christmas. She also made many amazing hand stitched quilts over the years, which are still cherished by all who were lucky enough to receive one. She also tole painted, did embroidery, crafting and knitted countless slippers. She also loved the hours spent gardening; vegetables, flowers and trees. She would nurture and plan her gardens year round. In later years she and Hank would spend their weekends “yard sailing” – looking for treasures to share with the grandchildren. Her greatest joy was in the legacy she leaves behind; her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We all loved sitting around the table with Ma, hearing the stories of raising five boys, her childhood and neighborhood events. There was nothing better than seeing her light up while telling these stories. This past week was like that; sitting at the table, visiting with her grandchildren, enjoying her favorite meals and retelling her stories. There is so much more we could say, and those that loved her will gather together, both to mourn and celebrate her life. We will retell her stories until we are with her again. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 8 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A private funeral service for family will be held in the funeral home chapel with Father Jim Oliver officiating. Cremation will follow. Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Canadian Cancer Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.