ALICE MAKODANSKI (LENCHYSHYN)

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ALICE MAKODANSKI (nee LENCHYSHYN) April 1, 1939 April 17, 2007 Alice, an incredible woman, wife, mother, Baba, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, ended her 4 1/2 year journey and battle with stomach cancer on April 17, 2007, at 4:15 p.m., on the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface General Hospital. She was never alone and was surrounded by the love of her family when she passed away peacefully. Mom was predeceased by her father Fred Lenchyshyn, parents-in-law, Anna Szajner and Martin Makodanski, stepfather-in-law Walter Szajner, stepfather Tony Spilchuk and nephew Greggie Lenchyshyn. She leaves to mourn her husband Anthony, mother Nellie Spilchuk, children, Ken, Bonnie, Tammy, Marcia (David) Rushka, Lisa (Chris) Cleary, her grandchildren; Tyler, Caitlin (their mother, Maggie); Scott, Bryanne, Kendra, Kelsey Acheson; Joshua, Olivia; Lucas and Ava. Mourning also are her siblings, Joanne (Julien) Gerard, Lawrence (Sonya) Lenchyshyn, Dennis (Sally) Lenchyshyn and Dianne Wallace, her sister-in-law Nancy Leckay and brother-in-law Mike (Olga) Makodanski, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and the many people mom called friends. Mom was born on a farm in Glenlea, MB, the second child of five to Nellie and Fred Lenchyshyn. At the age of 16 she left home for Winnipeg. It was on a blind date that she met and fell in love with Dad and together they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 30, 2007. Mom had worked at the Income Tax Office until the arrival of her children. Ken, Bonnie and Tammy were born in the early years of their marriage, and then a ten year gap before Marcia and Lisa were born. There were many camping trips and Grand Beach days spent together as a family. Mom had heart and a tenacity that saw everything she took on completed to near perfection. She was dedicated to her church and did volunteer work for it her entire life. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage, and passed on the family traditions at Christmas and Easter times. She loved gardening, and canned and froze everything possible. Her geranium slips were planted and harvested every year since 1966! Mom began the Sick and Shut-In Visiting Committee in her parish of Christ the King, St. Boniface Diocese, and did this for more than 20 years. She was proud to complete the Nathanael program with Dad, a process for the formation of lay ministers. She believed in Ecumenism and was a board member of the Association of Christian Churches in Manitoba. She had the opportunity to journey with our Aboriginal sisters and brothers for 10 years. Mom loved the Catholic Women's League of Canada and would say it opened many doors for her. She became a member in 1977 at the Christ the King Council. She served on every convenorship rising to the level of St. Boniface Archdiocesan Council President and Manitoba Provincial President. She was the proud recipient of a Maple Leaf Service pin and her most cherished Life Membership pin. It was Mom who started the Day of Reflection' which still continues. Mom and Dad began to travel twenty years ago, starting with a trip to the Philippines. Other destinations included the Spain, Portugal, Venezuela, Holy Land, Rome, Poland and Ukraine, the lands of their heritage, and anywhere their youngest daughter decided to live which included South Africa and Australia. Mom and Dad were also honoured to travel to El Salvador with Development and Peace to witness the work of the poor. Along with service to others, family was paramount to Mom. She had strong connections to her husband, mother, siblings, in-laws and their families. She was proud of her children and carried both their joys and sorrows on her shoulders. She adored her grandchildren. Included in family were her friends. Mom was loyal and true to the people she came in contact with. Mom mentored all of us as she lived courageously with her illness. As her life was winding down it was the time she spent with Dad and family at her beloved trailer in Pinawa that brought her peace. Nothing made her happier than sitting around a roaring fire with loved ones drinking coffee and having something to eat. Mom's was a life well-lived. We love you mom and we will miss you. May our Lady of Good Council watch over you. The family would like to thank all the staff of CancerCare Manitoba who played a role in Mom's treatment. Also thank you to the staff on the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface General Hospital, who cared for Mom with such dignity. Thank you to our relatives and friends who offered support, that helped carry us through this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to either Development and Peace, 10 St. Mary Street, Suite 420, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1P9, or Missions Etrangeres, 180 Place juge-Desnoyers, Laval, Quebec, H7G 1A4. Honourary pallbearers will be Mom's siblings and their respective partners. Prayers will be at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, with visitation from 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 847 St. Mary's Road. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday April 23, at 10:00 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 a.m., also at Christ the King. Interment to follow at Green Acres Cemetery, No. 1 Hwy. E. Navin Road. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT GREEN ACRES FUNERAL HOME 222-3241

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2007