IRENE LYLI TUOKKO (MYLLIMAKI)

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IRENE LYLI TUOKKO (nee MYLLIMAKI) September 21, 1906 - March 15, 2007 It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother and great- grandmother Irene Tuokko. She was a longtime resident of the Lac du Bonnet area. Irene was predeceased by her husband Jack; and two of her sons, Albert and her son Raymond Tuokko. Irene is survived by two younger sisters, Victoria Waukhonen and Sirri Myllimaki and by her daughter Velma Spizawka (Bill); granddaughter Karen Durrel (Larry) and grandchildren, Michelle, Mark and Eric; grandson Kerry Spizawka (Nancy Langevin) and granddaughters, Jamie and Christina; her son Albert's children, Jasmin, Nicholas and Tessa; son Paul Tuokko (Janice) and granddaughter Sherri Tuokko and her husband Tom Turner; grandson Dean Tuokko (Crystal) and great-grandsons, Kaleb and Taylor; her daughter Polli Tuokko (James Girvan); son Wayne Tuokko (Liz) and grandsons, Jamie and Tyler; her daughter Miriam Simoens (Leo); her daughter Marlene Tuokko. Irene met and married Jack Tuokko in New Finland, SK, and their four older children were born there. The family moved to Pinawa Lake, Manitoba, in 1940. Their four younger children were born in Manitoba. Irene was a fiercely independent woman, with a strong mind, iron will and loving heart and made friends easily. She was not afraid of much. When confronted by a bear she would throw gravel and shout, Shoo! She was a very hard worker on the farm, a true pioneer. She had many talents and pioneer skills. As a youth she sang in a choir. She often sang to her children in a strong soprano voice. In earlier years at Pinawa Lake she would call her children with a cowboy's yodel followed by the child's name. The sound would carry for miles down the Winnipeg River. The neighbours would comment on it afterwards. She had a green thumb and loved gardening. She had a large vegetable garden and canned and froze vegetables for winter, and a large flower garden. She loved outdoor work. She loved blueberries and often went alone to pick them, even at 80 years old. She would bake a blueberry pie with a thin crust. She canned blueberries, cranberries and other wild berries. She became an astute business woman when the waterfront land was subdivided and she was renting and selling lots. She had a dry sense of humour. She used to say, Waterfront lots don't grow on trees, and There are many pieces in the puzzle/pattern. She made sure each of her eight children received a waterfront lot. She loved to chat over business with tea and cookies. She liked to remember her youth and family summers at the lake and longtime friends. In her later years she loved to read the daily paper and the LDB Leader and do jig-saw puzzles. She celebrated her 100th birthday in the summer of 2006. She enjoyed the day with family and friends. The family is grateful for the help and assistance of Doctor Soko and the staff at Pinawa Hospital. Don't Wait When I quit this mortal shore, And mosey around the earth no more, Don't weep, don't sigh, don't sob, I may have struck a better job. Don't go and buy a large bouquet for Which you'll find it hard to pay: Don't mope around and feel all blue, I may be better off than you. Don't tell folks I was a saint or Any old thing that I ain't; If you have jam like that to spread, Please hand it out before I'm dead. Instead of flowers please give to the charity of your choice. Details of memorial to follow. Thanks to all the helping hands along the road.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 16, 2007