PEARL YUSTYNA SHEPELL (LEOCHKO)

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PEARL YUSTYNA SHEPELL (LEOCHKO) On June 16, 2007, at the Health Sciences Centre, Pearl (Baba) peacefully passed away at the age of 81, with her loving family at her side. Pearl was predeceased by her husband Walter in 1990; daughter Theresa Nazar in 2004; her sister Anne Haliuk in 1998; her father John in 1987, and her mother Yustyna in 1976. Left to cherish her memory is her son Arthur; daughter Elizabeth, granddaughter Sharon (Darryl), and great-granddaughter Megan Small; son-in-law Alex Nazar, grandchildren, Sandra, Darryl (Kendra) Nazar; daughter Susan (Bonnar) Scott, granddaughters, Andrea and Melissa; son Murray (Lori), grandchildren, Christopher, Courtney, Chelsea, Carlea. Also, she leaves her sisters, Mary Kowalchuk, Elsie Hykaway, Rosie (Walter) Hetman, and her brothers, Peter (Bertha), and Mike (Evelyn), and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. Pearl was born on November 14, 1925 in the Ukraine. At the age of four, she travelled to Canada with her parents and two sisters to homestead in the Poplarfield area. While she was working in housekeeping at the Hodgson Hotel, she met Walter and they were married on May 29, 1948. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Hudson, Ontario where Walter worked in the logging industry. In 1962, they returned to the Shepell homestead in the McMaster District to raise their family, and worked together on the farm. Baba shared many stories of the hardships they endured and also of the happy memories of the good old days. Visitors were always welcomed in her home and they feasted on homecooked Ukrainian meals. She loved tending to her flowers and took pride in her garden and preserves. In later years, Pearl enjoyed playing King Pedro and Rummy with her family and friends, and listening to Ukrainian music in the evenings. The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Health Sciences Centre and at Percy E. Moore Hospital for all the caring attention to Pearl over the past years. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fisher Funeral Home. Mass will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Parish in Fisher Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher Branch Adult Day Program, for Baba looked forward to her weekly visits and activities at the Chalet with her dear friends. We will miss you, Mom, Rest In Peace. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT Fisher Funeral Home in care of arrangements (204) 372-6271 or 372-6803.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2007