KATHI (KAY) TOKARIWSKI

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KATHI (KAY) TOKARIWSKI

(nee PACALUKO)

It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden passing of our dear Mother, Kathi Tokariwski, who left us on July 14, 2024, at the age of 89, less than one month shy of her 90 birthday, at the St. Boniface Hospital with her family by her side.



Mom was born on August 11, 1934 in Thalberg, Manitoba at the end of the Great Depression to Michael and Pauline (nee:Okaluk) Pacaluko. She was the first of five children to survive birth and became the oldest of seven children.



Mom is missed more than there are words for, and will be lovingly remembered by her three children; Carolyn (Richard), Ken (Lisa), John (Arlene), grandchildren Kevin (Haley), Sean, Tamara (Devon), Alexis (Michael), and Madison (Aaron), great-grandchildren Brynlee, Harlow, Sloane, Vaughn, Olivia, and Alina, sister Joanne (Harold), brother George, sister Gerry (John), brother Gordon, brother in-law Julian, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.



Mom was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband Mike of 51 years, sister Elsie (Matt), brother Edward, brothers-in-law Bob, Walter, sister in-law Alice, Lorraine, Penny, and granddaughter Nicole.



At the young age of 15, mom left the family farm in Glenmore, Manitoba and moved to Winnipeg where she worked at Winnipeg Envelopes by day, and waitresses by night to make a living. Mom then worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company in the Paddle Wheel Restaurant in downtown Winnipeg. On September 11,1954 mom married the love of her life Mike, at which time they began to travel for years prior to starting a family. In 1959 mom gained employment with the Simpson Sears Company in sales, when it originally opened at Polo Park Shopping Mall, where she worked until 1975, and then focused on her family full-time.



Mom was a force to be reckoned with, as she would single-handedly make vast amounts of the most amazing borscht, holopchi, meatballs, perishke, and perogies, which she did multiple times a year, to distribute to her family and friends. Mom took great pride in raising her family, gardening, planting flowers, as well as helping anyone who would ask. Mom loved life and enjoyed talking to anyone who came into contact with her.



Mom endured many hardships throughout her life, however always remained a strong-willed, hard-working person, who kept active her whole life, from the early days of working on the family farm, to later taking the lead and volunteering within her community for many causes. The enormous amount of people that Mom knew in Winnipeg in her life time was immense, whether from the neighbourhood, coffee with friends, or her years of dancing to her favourite music at different halls throughout the Province. Mom had a special gift with her friendly personality, caring soul, and generous nature, and has definitely made her mark in the world. She will be greatly missed by a multitude of people, and animals that knew her.



In keeping with mom’s wishes, a private funeral service will take place with interment at Brookside Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 20, 2024, Jul 20, 2024