February 10, 1934 – February 22, 2021
It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news that our darling mother, Stella Dreger passed away suddenly at home on Monday, February 22, 2021 in Lac du Bonnet. She had just celebrated her 87th birthday and she was looking forward to spring and the easing of COVID restrictions to visit with family and friends. Stella is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Dianne McCoy Posner and Joyce Wright (Roy); Dianne’s sons Michael McCoy (Melanie) in Winnipeg; Andrew McCoy (Tammy) in Lac du Bonnet; Joyce’s children, Shannon Trask (Mathieu) in France; Kevin Trask (Tracy) and Stephen Trask (Mel) in Winnipeg; and Dennis’s sons, Jay and Matthew in Montreal; Cole in Halifax and Lucas and Liam in Chile. There are 14 great-grandchildren that will miss her as well. She is survived by sisters Claudette Slobodian, Louise Van Belleghem (Roger) and Lorraine Trudeau (Wilfred) and numerous nieces and nephews. Stella was predeceased by husband Victor Dreger, son Dennis; son-in-law, Craig Posner, parents, Elodie and Leo Allaire; brothers Roger Allaire, Aime Allaire and sister Vivian Nightengale.
Stella grew up and attended school in St. Boniface. She met Victor, a soldier on assignment patrolling the riverbanks around the St. Boniface Hospital during the 1950 flood. It was love at first site and they married in 1951. They spent the next 12 years living the military life, moving to Shilo and Winnipeg; Fredericton and Oromocto, New Brunswick; Hemer, Germany and then back to Winnipeg where Victor got out of the military. Vic became a Firefighter at Atomic Energy of Canada at Pinawa, Manitoba and the family moved to Lac du Bonnet. Stella also began working at Atomic Energy where she began as a bilingual receptionist and retired 25 years later as the Contracts Clerk in Building 412. She was a trailblazer, deciding at age 50 to pursue a university education ‘en Francais’ and she travelled each week to attend night classes at St. Boniface College. While she endured domestic violence during her marriage, she never gave up on her family and changing that. She was a member of Al-a-Non and she supported other women that were trying to make changes in their lives. She was an entrepreneur, buying and selling property which helped contribute to her life-long dream of building a new home. Vic passed away in 2001 after a lengthy illness, but she went ahead and had their house built on the Winnipeg River. She was a volunteer for a time in the community at the Lac du Bonnet Personal Care Home and at the Adult Day Program. In 2018, she decided to be closer to family and access to health facilities, so she moved to Concordia Village Assisted Living but with the onset of Covid in 2020, she moved back to her home in Lac du Bonnet where she was living with the assistance of her daughters and the Home Care team. Stella was a beautiful and gentle spirit, a role model mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as sister who put family first and never gave up on her hopes and dreams.
Heartfelt thanks go to Lisa Kroeker, RNP, Dr. Safie and nurses at Pinawa Hospital, Paramedics as well as Home Care staff, Evelyn, Courtney and Leanne that assisted Mom each week.
A celebration of life event will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Stella’s memory may make donations to the Palliative Care program which helped Mom to be at home – http://palliativemanitoba.ca/supporting-us/
Offer Condolence for the family of Stella Marie Dreger
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Jacquelyn Landry
I am sorry for the loss of your mom. I am thankful she is no longer suffering. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Joyce Simcoe
Joyce and Dianne and families
My deepest condolences to you and your families during this difficult time.
Hugs to all!
Joyce Simcoe
Dennis & Ingrid Stark
Our deepest sympathy to the Dreger Family. We had many good times with her at our lunch table at AECL. May you find peace and joy with the good times you had with her.
Dennis & Inigrid
Dennis & Rosalie Lofstrom
Our sincere condolences to the family. We had a lot of laughter and good times at our lunch table at AECL. Hold your memories of her close in your heart. Rosalie & Dennis
Heather Pollock
Dianne, Joyce and families
Sorry to hear of Stella’s passing. Dianne, when hearing an Anne Murray song I can’t help but remember her concert we attended with our Moms’. It was such an enjoyable evening and a fond memory. May you find comfort in the memory of her strength and love of her family.
Heather Pollock
Henrietta Shegelski
To all of Stella’s beloved family: Thank you for the beautiful obituary and tribute to Stella, so aptly described as a “gentle spirit”. She will always be remembered as such by all who knew her. She is now at peace with our Lord. May His gentle Spirit of peace and love surround you and heal your hearts as you reflect and remember the special times spent with dear Stella. You have someone very special watching over you from above!
We send our sincere sympathy and are saying special prayers for your consolation and peace of heart,
Henrietta Shegelski, on behalf of the Catholic Ladies of Notre Dame du Lac Parish
John & Connie Honer
So sorry to hear of Stella’s passing. She will be missed.
Ray and Carol Wazney
We were so saddened to learn of Stella’s passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. Ray worked with Stella for many years at AECL, and remembers her as a very conscientious and friendly person. Sincere condolences to her family and friends.