EMELIA MARIE HUNCHAK (KISHENSKY)

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EMELIA MARIE HUNCHAK (nee KISHENSKY) January 10, 1917 March 4, 2006 Emeila leaves behind a Legacy of family, laughter, love, and dancing. She was an extraordinary woman, who lived life as the adventure she believed it to be, encouraging all around her to Enjoy every minute of it! . Committed to her children and grandchildren, her favourite pastimes were those involving family and friends in activities ranging from perogie making to baking, from laughing out loud over coffee and conversation to going through photo albums and telling stories. Her other passion in life was travel, and Emelia (a.k.a. Galavanting Granny) spent many years making friends in Miami and Phoenix. She also traveled frequently to visit with family in Cypress River MB, Ajax ON, and Vancouver BC. Anyone who spent even a little time with Emelia was quick to recognize that her ability to laugh and smile was second to none, and demonstrated a true warmth of spirit. Emelia was born in Transcona MB, the devoted daughter of Barbara (nee Churyk) and Frank Kishensky who had immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine. She often recounted stories of evening gatherings in her parent's home, with friends for piano playing, singing and sharing food. When a bright, handsome young man named Nicholas came to shop at the bookstore in which she worked, Emelia rang up his purchase and smiled her signature smile. They were married on September 16, 1939, and had three beautiful and amazing children, Alicia, John (Dianne) and Marianne (Marvin). They were surrounded by good friends, who enjoyed visiting for an evening of bridge and Emelia's signature canned chicken and honeycake. Emeila was very involved in her communities, and served as the President of the St. Nicholas Ukranian Catholic Women's League (CWL), and then as National President of the Ukranian CWL. For 30 years, she was a reliable and beloved Volunteer at the Holy Family Nursing Home. As if that wasn't enough, Emelia also enjoyed a fulfilling and varied career life, working at the Municipal Hospitals, Eatons and MTS. As her children grew, married, and had children of their own, she gained the distinguished and favoured position of Granny for her eleven bright lights: Catherine (Nicole), John (Kirsten), Peter (Kate), Teresa, James (Alisa); Brad (Leanne), Colin (Jenny), Darryl; Cheryl, David, Lauren. She was devoted to our welfare, and offered her love and support, no matter what . Emelia was overjoyed at the recent news of the birth of her first great grandchild, Liam Lionel (son of John and Kirsten). Being Granny was her most illustrious career, spanning 38 years! All of her grandchildren's friends, and eventually their partners/spouses too, knew, loved, and referred to her as Granny. Our experience was that Granny enjoyed it all, was never bored, and the grass was never greener than on her side of the fence. It was not uncommon to have to beg Granny to go to bed, so that we could, at 5:30 a.m., finally wind down the party and send the guests home! As a resident of Lyon's Manor over the last 10 years, Emelia was rarely available to answer the telephone, preferring instead to attend every activity bingo, skittles, carpet bowling and choir events: she didn't want to miss a thing! Surrounded by her cherished family, Emelia passed away contentedly at the Glenboro Hospital, having spent her final days bathed in the very gifts she endowed us all with: laughter, music, and of course, family. Emelia is preceded by her parents Frank and Barbara, her brothers John and Michael, her twin Emil, her husband Nicholas, and her best friend Millie Bazel. Funeral service will be held at St. Nicholas Ukranian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Ave. Winnipeg, on Wednesday, March 8 at 1:00 pm. Basilian Fathers officiating. Interment to follow in the Transcona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Granny's memory may be made to the Glenboro Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Granny, we will never forget! Thank you. Arrangements entrusted to Jamieson's Funeral Service of Glenboro MB. (204) 827-2480.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 06, 2006