Mavis Dyck

On Sunday, October 20, 2019, after a brief illness, Mavis Colleen Dyck of Portage la Prairie passed away unexpectedly at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 51.

Mavis was born on August 5, 1968 in Brandon, Manitoba, to the late Henry and Dorcas Dyck (Sercombe).  Mavis lived in Brandon until 1981, during which time she attended Sacred Heart and George Fitton Schools.  In 1981 she moved to Portage la Prairie with her family, where she completed her education at Victoria School.

After school Mavis began working at ARC Industries in Portage la Prairie, where she worked until her passing.

Shortly after her father passed away in 2011, Mavis began a new chapter in her life, living under the loving care of her foster mom, Shelley Bell.  She remained under Shelley's care in Portage la Prairie for eight years until Mavis's passing.

Although Mavis was developmentally challenged, it didn't stop her from enjoying life.  Mavis loved to go out for breakfast or coffee, and she was often seen at McDonalds or Tim Hortons, where she would say hello or share her trademark laugh.  Mavis was also proud of her dolls and was often seen around town with "Sally" or "Debbie" in tow.  She loved to bowl and swim, and "games night" was a highlight of her week.  Music was another big part of Mavis's life:  she loved "polka party", and she often spent hours listening to her music at home, including Johnny Cash (one of her favourites) singing "I Fell into a Burning Ring of Fire".  Singing at the Christ Church in Portage each month was another highlight for Mavis.  Mavis loved camping in Shelley's RV, mudbogging, taking long Sunday afternoon drives, watching videos, and helping at home.  Mavis also enjoyed attending the Portage Gospel Hall and later the River Road Gospel Hall. When asked weekly what she had learned at church, she would say, "I learned that Christ died on the cross for my sins."  For several summers Mavis enjoyed attending camp at Faith Bible Camp at Victoria Beach with her sister Caroline and the family of her brother Wayne, where she was the faithful bell ringer.

Left to cherish Mavis's memory are her sister Caroline (Tom) Foster of South Paris, Maine, her brothers Earl Dyck of Brandon, Wayne (Ruth) Dyck of Winnipeg, and Dennis (Dorothy) Dyck of Hartford, Maine, her Uncle Abe Dyck of Teulon, Manitoba, her Aunts Anne Watson (Dyck) of Winnipeg and Muriel Beckett (Sercombe) of St Thomas, Ontario, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She will be remembered by friends and staff at ARC Industries as well as by the many friends and volunteers she made at TRON (Therapeutic Recreational OUtreach Network).

The family wishes to pay tribute to Mavis's caregivers during the past eight years, for they gave Mavis love, compassion, and acceptance at a time when she needed them the most. Sacrificially with respect and honor they served Mavis so lovingly as one created in the image of God, no matter how clouded that image became. Shelley Bell was Mavis's primary caregiver:  she made Mavis a part of her family and went far above and beyond her role as foster parent to provide Mavis a loving home.  Kelvin Moore, Brenda Haddad, Raymond Walmsley and Rhonda Hagloff assisted Shelley with respite care for Mavis with exceptional grace and kindness.  Both Brenda and Shelley were the most outstanding advocates for Mavis that anyone could ask for.  Tim and Olga Vanstone faithfully gave Mavis rides to the Portage Gospel Hall every Sunday, then later to River Road Gospel Hall.  Keith and Joyce Irwin also faithfully took Mavis to the monthly song services at the Portage Christ Church. A huge thank-you to all who assisted in Mavis's care during the final chapter of her life.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the River Road Gospel Hall, 350 River Road, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

If friends so desire. Memorial donations to Faith Bible Camp Memorial Fund, 760 Charleswood Road, Winnipeg, MB R3R 1K6 would be appreciated.

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