Manitobans share grief, honour Queen in books of condolence

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This article was published 11/09/2022 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jason Ostapyk lifts his hand in salute in front of the simple book of condolences, set out at the legislative building for Manitobans to sign in honour of Queen Elizabeth.

Tears in his eyes, he recites a simple motto. It’s a Scouts Canada promise (Ostapyk was in the program for nine years as a child) in which the member pledges to do their best, help others, and do their duty to God, Queen and country.

“The Queen was everyone’s mom and grandma,” Ostapyk said. “To me, it’s someone that I could always look up to and see, there’s everyone’s grandmother or mother doing such great things.”

It was a quiet but emotionally-charged scene in the legislative lobby Monday morning, as a small but consistent stream of people entered and signed the book, taking pause to observe photos of the Queen and a simple purple and white bouquet of flowers.

The book of condolences will remain available for mourners to sign and leave a message for the Royal Family for the remainder of the official 10-day period of mourning, which began Sept. 9.

Queen Elizabeth died Sept. 8, at age 96, after a 70-year reign as British monarch.

Ostapyk was joined by his mother, Dawn White, who also worked to compose herself after crying. Both have stories of meeting members of the Royal Family over the years; White witnessed Princess Diana during a Canadian visit.

“I’m devastated. (The Queen) was the world’s diplomat,” White said. “She was able to speak to enemies of each other, and yet graciously present herself as someone who was willing to listen. She was just a remarkable woman who worked till, probably, the day she died.”

Ostapyk carried to the legislative building photos of two separate incidents where he met the Queen and presented her with flowers, once in 1984 and again in 2002. He smiles through tears remembering when he was able to exchange brief words with her during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and had showed her the photo of their first encounter.

She requested the picture, Ostapyk said, but he was afraid offering the slightly-damaged photo would be disrespectful.

Winnipeggers who want to share words of remembrance or sorrow with the Royal Family can do so at the Manitoba Legislative Building (450 Broadway) or at city hall (510 Main St.), where books will be publicly available during operating hours. Brandon’s city hall will also have a book of condolences available.

Flags remain lowered at city hall. Its book was signed first by city councillors, with Mayor Brian Bowman recalling the Queen “from her first visit to Winnipeg, she won our hearts.”

After signing her name and a leaving a brief message in the book at city hall, Jackie Ratte Kohut said she was thinking of the Queen and her impact on Canada’s system of government — something the civil servant works to uphold.

“I think we kind of take for granted this system of government we have… Certainly, there are a lot of problems with our governments and the system and, certainly, there are a lot of questions to be asked about the British Empire and its role in colonialism, and its role in how we’ve collectively treated Indigenous people… But it’s a good system of government, and I’m proud to be doing my two bits every day.”

Ratte Kohut, too, paused to compose herself when remembering the only Queen she’ll see in her lifetime.

“It just seemed important to me to come and sign that book, and just acknowledge the transition of power and the continuation of our government that’s so important to our democracy,” she said.

Memorial services for the Queen are currently being planned by the province, including a military gun salute and proclamation ceremony, to take place during the period of mourning.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca