MARION GAWAZUK (KACHKOWSKI)

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MARION GAWAZUK (nee KACHKOWSKI) Peacefully on May 3, 2006, Marion passed on to be with her beloved Tweety . She leaves to mourn her passing, daughters, Natalie and Pat (Cliff Ratte); grandsons, David (Lindsay Kerr) and Ryan; sisters, Bernie (Alfred) Kalichuk and Virginia (Marvin) Kuzmiak; sister-in-law Helen Gawaziuk and brother-in-law Paul Gawaziuk. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and favourite Aunt Olga Petreshen, and special friends, Barb and Bonnie will also cherish her memory. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill in 1994; parents Paul and Nellie Kachkowski and in-laws, Harry and Sabina Gawazuk. Marion was born in Sifton, MB, on April 19, 1933. Three years later, the family moved to Garland, MB, where the twins were born. Father, Paul, worked as a travelling salesman and Marion helped her mother out at home. Marion attended school in Garland and then set out to find work. Work took her to the town of Valley River where she would meet the love of her life, Bill Gawazuk. Marion and Bill married on July 28, 1951. In 1952, they welcomed daughter Natalie, followed by Patricia in 1955. They remained in Valley River until 1957 when they decided to move to the Big City (Winnipeg). They settled in Fort Rouge where Bill carried on the family tradition of operating a grocery store. While in Fort Rouge, Marion was an active member of Holy Family Parish and her kitchen was always full of customers, salesmen and neighbours stopping by for coffee. In 1966 the family moved again to St. Vital where they still reside. In August of that year they opened Hindley Food Market where again Marion's kitchen was open to new friends and neighbours. As the girls grew up, their friends took over the kitchen and the rest of the house. There were parties every weekend, but Marion's motto was They're just having fun! In fact, it was nothing for Marion to phone from a social at 1:00 a.m. and say, Put the coffee on, there's about 30 of us coming over. In 1967 Marion became involved in something that would occupy the rest of her life: this was the organization and start up of St. John the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Church. Her kitchen became a perogie factory for fund raising, followed by choir practice and meetings. Again her home was filled with friends, neighbours and love. Through the years, Marion served on the executive in all positions. She was also a member of the U.C.W.L. Through her church work, Marion also made many friends at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. As her failing health made it hard to keep all this up, she always dearly loved her little church and all the wonderful friends she made. The other love of Marion's life was her family. She was a loving and devoted mother who had room in her heart for all her girls' friends. But nothing could compare with the love she had for her grandsons David and Ryan. She was always baby sitting, taking them to Lockport for lunch at Sonya's and just delighted in spoiling them rotten. In 1987 Marion and Bill retired and remained in St. Vital, still carrying on with pleasure and pride the things that made them happy: family, friends and their faith. The family wishes to thank the staff of the 3rd floor from Poseidon Care Centre for their care and compassion. Prayers/Panachyda will be offered on Monday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Ukrainian Catholic Church, 31 Riel Ave. (St. Vital). In accordance with her wishes, cremation will follow. Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home, Hwy #1 E. and Navin Road Rev. Fr. Andrew Wach will officiate, with interment in Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241 Please bring a Tin for the Bin Help us support the Winnipeg Harvest.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2006