Maria passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 7, 2013, at the Ste Anne Hospital. Maria was born on January 30, 1945 and arrived in Winnipeg with her parents and brother Antoni (Tony) in 1952. She graduated from l’Académie St-Joseph, le Collège Saint-Boniface (B.A) and the University of Manitoba (Education). She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years Jean, her beloved brother Tony, her daughters Monique (Marc Delannoy), Mireille and grand-children, Luc, Gabriel, Clément, Julien, Trevor and Julie, the wonderful Balcaen family and cherished cousins in Poland and Ottawa. She was pre-deceased by her loving parents Franciszek (Frank) Heppner and Waleria Sredzinska. Viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 a.m, on Thursday July 11 in the La Broquerie church, paroisse St-Joachim, presided by Father Louis Vielfaure. Interment to follow at the Parish Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations can be made in memory of Maria Balcaen to Développement et Paix (Development and Peace) or the Manitoba Mental Health Association.