JOAN ELEANOR SEMCHYSHYN (CHMARA)

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JOAN ELEANOR SEMCHYSHYN (nee CHMARA) With great sadness in our hearts, surrounded by her loved ones, we announce the peaceful passing of Joan on February 4, 2006 at the Health Sciences Centre MICU at the age of 70. Joan leaves to cherish her memory, and she will be sadly missed by her devoted husband of 49 years, Edward; her son Les; her daughter Darcia and her husband Dr. Garry Smith of Denver; her cherished grandchildren, Reid and Ryan Smith of Denver and Nicole Semchyshyn; and great-granddaughter Tatyanna. She will also be missed by her beloved sister Audrey Chmara, and her sister-in-law Pearl Semchyshyn. Joan was born on March 11, 1935 to Walter and Stella Chmara in Winnipeg. Joan was predeceased by her father in 1952 and her mother in 1995. Joan attended school at St. Nicholas (Immaculate Heart of Mary), King Edward, and Tech Voc Collegiate. After finishing school Joan worked at Prudential Life Assurance until the birth of her daughter Darcia. Thereafter she remained a devoted homemaker. Joan loved cooking and baking. Her library of cookbooks was her treasure trove. She was always perusing them, looking for new recipes to try. Joan was also very skillful in arts and crafts. She loved knitting, crocheting, flower-making, both silk and paper, petit-point, string art, pysanky, to name a few. Joan was also an avid bowler, both five and ten pin. She won many trophies over the years. Joan also served on the Board of Directors, Ladies' Auxiliary, of the Holy Family Home. She was also an active member of her church. Although Joan was faced with many struggles throughout her life, she always overcame them with her tenacious spirit. Her warmth and generosity touched everyone who knew her. Joan's family would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Paunovic, Dr. Inglis, Dr. Kim Wiebe, and all of the wonderful nursing staff at Grace ICU and Health Sciences Centre MICU for providing exceptional care, compassion, comfort and kindness. We would also like to thank all of Joan's caregivers who came to her home to assist her over the past few years. As well, we would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Delores Tesluk and Barbara Shindruk for their prayers, love, and support. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7 at St. Anne's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 455 Douglas Ave., with Rt. Rev. Canon Walter Klimchuk officiating. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Joan will be honoured by the support of her honorary pallbearers Nick Kushnier, Randy Kushnier, Craig Kushnier, Peter Klym, Roger Klym and Jim Lucas; as well as her active pallbearers Dr. Garry Smith, Reid Smith, Ryan Smith, Dr. Mark Semchyshyn, Dr. Robert Palaschuk and godson Glen Tesluk, In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's memory to Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 650 Flora Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2W 2S5. In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away, You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting, Until the very end. God saw you getting tired, When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, Come to Me . So when we saw you sleeping, So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back, To suffer that again. You didn't deserve what you went through, So He took you home to rest. God's Garden must be beautiful, For He only takes the best. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2006