Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings
ANTONIA HARBARENKO  Obituary pic

ANTONIA HARBARENKO

Born: Mar 15, 1911

Date of Passing: Feb 22, 2007

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANTONIA HARBARENKO March 15, 1911 February 22, 2007 Peacefully on Thursday, February 22, 2007, at Charleswood Care Centre, our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went to be with her Lord and Saviour. Antonia was predeceased by her parents, George and Mary Wesolowski; her husband The Reverend John D. Harbarenko; brothers, John (infant), Steve and Nick Wesolowski; sisters, Kate Melneychuk, Anne Rumak and Nellie Chamaschuk; and grandchildren, Debbie Konowal, Leslie and Cameron Harbarenko. Left to cherish her memory are her ten children: Leona Konowal (George) Brandon, MB; Harvey (Audrey) Delta, BC; Don (Judy) Leduc, AB; Georgina Buddick Winnipeg, MB; Richard (Suzette) and John (Helen) Thedford, ON; Shirley Symbalisty (Eugene) Prince George, BC; Sharon Bowering (Rick) Winnipeg, MB; Ange Schuening (Friedrich) Brentwood, TN; and Marilyn Rand (Ken) Surrey, BC. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, John, Leo, Henry, Edward and Paul Wesolowski; sister Stella Bilowus; and numerous nieces and nephews. Born and educated in Leduc, AB, Antonia was the fourth of 13 children in her family. She was a caregiver from an early age, looking after her siblings and helping her parents run the family farm. On July 3, 1932, she married John Harbarenko, operator of an implement and car dealership located in Glendon, AB. In 1943, John was ordained to the ministry and they moved their young family to Manitoba where he pioneered a Christian work, primarily amongst the Ukrainian people in the Swan River Valley. Antonia taught her children the work ethic by example. She lovingly provided for them by planting and harvesting a huge garden, and preserving what seemed like endless jars of vegetables, pickles and fruit for the long winter months. She carefully tended her raspberry patch and many in the community also enjoyed the delicious berries. Memories are vivid of coming home from school to the aroma of fresh baked bread and homemade soup simmering on the wood stove. She was a gifted designer and seamstress with the ability to replicate virtually any garment simply by looking at a photograph. Her needlework was flawless. Although we may not have had many material possessions during those early years, she always saw to it that we were well dressed! Mother was a woman of deep faith whose trust in God was unwavering. She was devoted to Dad and worked quietly in the background, supporting him in the ministry for over 60 years. As adults, our immediate response to any family crisis was to call Mom because we knew that her faith was steadfast and we could count on her to pray. Whenever we telephoned or visited, her parting words were always the same: God bless you. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at ArlingtonHaus and Charleswood Care Centre. The compassionate care and friendship extended to our Mom are appreciated more than words can say. A special thank you to her friends: Stella, Doreen, Pearl and Ermie. Visitation will be held in the chapel at Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium, 506 2nd Street N., Swan River, on Sunday, March 4, 2007 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The funeral service will be officiated by The Reverend Donald Wm. Horban and held in the Living Word Tabernacle, 203 Centennial Drive, Swan River, on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at the Birchwood Cemetery. If friends desire, donations in memory of Antonia Harbarenko may be made to the Living Word Memorial Fund, Box 969, Swan River MB R0L 1Z0. PAULL FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM (204) 734-4556.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2007

❮ Go Back to Listings