LOIS HOPE OLINYK

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LOIS HOPE OLINYK Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 3390 Portage Avenue @ Rouge Road with Rev. Fr. Robert Polz presiding. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Mar 28, 2016

LOIS HOPE OLINYK Peacefully on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, surrounded by her loving family, Lois Hope Olinyk (nee Tutkaluk) passed away at Oakview Nursing Home after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Lois leaves to mourn her loving family of seven children, Rod (Doreen), Charlene (Dave), Julie (John), David, Barry (Jen), Kathy (Barrie), and Rob (Renee), and fifteen grandchildren, Chris, Shawn (Jenna), Ashley (Travis), Kyle, Kayla (Sean), Lyndsay, Brad (Kate), Whitney (Ethan), Jeremy, Ryan Robert, Ryan August, Travis, Samantha, Abbey, and Jesse. She also leaves to mourn her four sisters, Deanna, Val, Gloria and Marilyn. Lois was predeceased by her loving husband Charlie in January, 2015, and her parents, Anne and Mike Tutkaluk of Oakburn. Lois was a treasure to everyone she met. She was upbeat, joyful, and loved to sing and dance at every opportunity. She brought the term, "dance like no one's watching", to a new level. This brought her joy even into her final days on earth. Foremost, Lois was a loving wife and mother. Lois practised her teaching skills in a one room school in rural MB. Teaching brought her much joy and she was very proud of it. Charlie and Lois met at a dance where he was playing in a band. Charlie ended up fixing her shoe and setting his sight on the prettiest girl there. Their love was one of a kind, and they were happily married for sixty four years. Lois worked hard at everything she did in life and came from very humble beginnings. After she began teaching, Charlie and Lois ended up having seven children who were the apple of her eye. They could do no wrong, and she was an amazing mother. She had the skills of a master baker, made amazing bread, cinnamon buns, and donuts, along with many other goodies. She never turned anyone away from her table, even if Charlie called someone last minute to dinner or if one of the children had a friend drop by. That was her way, patient, kind and giving. Lois was also a volunteer and continually gave back to her community. Faith was everything to her. Early on she joined the Catholic Women's League. Lois was a reader during mass and taught catechism for many grade levels. In her later years, Lois volunteered in many activities and was always there to lend a hand in the church. Lois also worked part time at the Winnipeg Free Press Obituary department, and later for Canada Post before retiring with Charlie. Lois's grandchildren were everything to her. She loved each and every one of them and was in attendance to all their dance recitals, school concerts, piano concerts, gymnastics, hockey, soccer and volleyball games. She was so very proud of each and every one of them. She would talk of them endlessly and enjoyed just sitting with them and having a chat about their future. She loved all of her sons-and-daughters-in-law and treated everyone like one of her own. Far too young, Lois was stricken with Alzheimer's disease and battled it for over ten years with dignity, grace and strength. She maintained her faith in God to help her through the many difficult times that lay ahead. Even in her final days, the journey was difficult and she battled right up to the very end with her family at her side. Mom you have earned your rest in heaven. Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Tuesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Blessed John XXlll Catholic Church at 3390 Portage Avenue with the Reverend Father Robert Polz presiding and Reverend Father Gerald Langevine. The family wishes to thank the staff members at Oakview nursing home for the care and attention given to Lois during her stay with them over the last year and in her final days. They were all truly outstanding with their patience and love given to both Lois and her family. Mom, we promise to care for each other as we said we would. Your legacy is love and family and we will always remember that "we come from a long line of love." Rest in peace mom, and may perpetual light shine upon you. We know you are with the angels singing and dancing in heaven. In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
Publish Date: Mar 26, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 28, 2016