Festival of Lights 2025: "Our mom says it's the best place she's ever stayed."

God has a way of bringing people to where they belong.

Last summer, our mom, Marianne Smith née Balagus, moved into Holy Family Home. We knew it might take time to adjust. After all, she isn’t just a mother – she’s the heart of a big, close family: nine children, dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandbaby.

For most of her life, Mom was the one in charge – organizing, cooking, planning and somehow keeping all of us pointed in the right direction.

Mom grew up in Winnipeg’s North End, near the Arlington Bridge. She went to St. Nicholas School, run by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate – the same Sisters whose ministry continues today at Holy Family Home. Later, she and our dad, Paul, built their life in that same neighbourhood, sending all nine of their children to Immaculate Heart of Mary School, where Paul and Marianne were tireless volunteers.

She has always been that way – if something needed doing, Mom did it. Letting other take over has never been her strong suit.

After Dad passed in 2019, she began to face challenges with mobility and memory. By 2024, it became clear she needed more help. But there was never any question where that help should come from. For Mom, Holy Family Home was always the only choice.

Now she’s back in the North End – surrounded by the faith, community and traditions she loves. After a short adjustment, she couldn’t be happier. With Divine Liturgy throughout the week, delicious meals, kind staff, and a recreation team that fills her days with music, painting, and laughter, Mom truly feels at home again.

After so many years of caring for others, she’s finally letting herself be cared for.

Recently she told us, “Holy Family Home is the best place I’ve ever stayed.” She has her own room, a dining hall full of friends, and something fun going on every day.

We’re so grateful she’s happy. But we also know how important it is to keep this place comfortable, welcoming and full of life for everyone who calls it home.

This is where you come in.

The dining and family areas in Building A, where Mom lives, are the heart of daily life. Residents gather there to share meals, enjoy music, celebrate birthdays, and spend time together. These are the spaces where Holy Family truly feels like Home.

Holy Family Home hopes to raise $85,000 to refresh these shared rooms and make them more comfortable and accessible for residents and their families.

Your gift will help provide:

• Adjustable-height tables ($2,900 each) so residents using wheelchairs or walkers can sit comfortably for meals and activities.

• Larger Smart TVs ($3,000 each) that bring entertainment and chapel services to those unable to leave their units.

• New lounge furniture ($6,000 per lounge) so families can gather, visit, and celebrate together.

Each of the four units in Building A needs these updates — and your help will make them possible.

Will you consider a gift of $100, $250, $500 — or whatever feels right — to help make Holy Family Home’s gathering spaces warm, inclusive, and full of life for residents like our mom, and maybe one day, for someone you love?

We have such peace of mind knowing Mom is here – the heart of our family is safe, happy and home. After a lifetime of leading the way, she’s in a place where she can rest and be cared for. You can help other families feel that same peace.

Please join us in helping Holy Family Home reach its $85,000 goal. Together, we can keep these rooms filled with warmth, laughter, and love for everyone who calls this place home.

On behalf of our entire Smith family, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry and Peaceful Christmas, and a Happy New Year filled with God’s blessings.

With heartfelt thanks,
Andrea (Smith) Towers

P.S. Please join Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, Bishop Andriy Rabiy, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, Macenko Memorial Choir, residents, families, volunteers, and our family for the Festival of Lights Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Home.

l-r: Jonathan, Ron, Paula, Sandra, Andrea, Katrina, Lisa, Jay, Chris, and Marianne (front)