Belinda Kotschorek

Belinda Kotschorek

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Belinda Kotschorek on January 23, 2025 with her sister and niece by her side after a lengthy, brave and courageous second battle with cancer. She is survived by her sister Gail, cherished niece Breanne, brother-in-law Brian and brother Don & family.

Belinda was born on May 11, 1951 in the Swan Lake nursing home.  She was enrolled in Harmer School before the end of the school year at the tender age of 4 1/2 in an attempt to keep the tiny country school open.  She often recounted her memories of dad taking her to school on the stone boat with a team of horses, bundled under a heavy buffalo coat.  When Harmer School closed she went to Richard School and graduated from Somerset Collegiate Institute in 1970.

After graduation, she found employment in Winnipeg at TAS (Telephone Answering Service).  In the fall of 1971, she enrolled in the Library Technology Program at Red River Community College.  Upon completion, she was immediately employed at the Museum of Man & Nature for 5 years.  She returned home for a period of time upon her mother’s diagnosis of terminal cancer.  Following her mother’s death, she worked in the Morden and Winkler Libraries.

In February of 1980, she found employment in what was then the Fort Garry School Division (now Pembina Trails) as a library technician travelling between a number of schools, Crane, Oakenwald, Ralph Maybank, and Chancellor to name a few.  Her years before retirement were spent at Ryerson and Bonnycastle, having been in the division for 36 years.  She enjoyed taking courses and keeping up with the challenge of changing technology and programs, earning her library technology diploma.

Her love of books made her an avid reader for which she shared her love of books with not only the kids in the schools but also her niece Bre.  History always piqued her interest which led her to delve into her family genealogy, spending many hours gathering and recording the family history. Belinda’s farm girl spirit was carried throughout her life through her fondness of plants and her love of animals. She loved nothing more than sitting in her chair and petting the cats when they crawled in her lap for a nap, or going out and helping Bre groom her horses. Her window ledge was always filled with the vibrant colours of her many African violets and Christmas cactuses. After retiring she enjoyed volunteering with friends at the Children’s Hospital Book Markets, the Assiniboine Zoo (especially working with the big horses) and at the Fort Whyte Wildlife Center.  She enjoyed socializing and made many new friends over a morning coffee at Tim Hortons.  Keeping in touch with friends and colleagues over lunch or breakfast were highlights in her week. She loved travel and explored many destinations in Canada, the U.S.A. as well as Europe and Australia, at first with friends and later with her sister and niece.

She was predeceased by her mother Simone (Papegnies) in 1977, father Bert in 2006, and special aunts Adeline (Kotschorek) Gerth in 2012, and Denise (Papegnies) Baskerville in 2015.

Thank you to the medical teams at Victoria Hospital Cancer Care and Boundary Trails for the compassion and kindness shown to her, and especially her close friends for their continued support.

With respect to her wishes, no formal service will be held and flowers gratefully declined, in favour of a donation to a place of your choice.