LILLIAN (GOGOL) PARASIUK

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LILLIAN (GOGOL) PARASIUK Lillian (Gogol) Parasiuk died peacefully in her home in Burnaby, BC, on July 10, 2007, at the age of 94. Born August 30, 1912, in Canora, Saskatchewan, she was predeceased by her husband Bill, daughter Grace, brother Mike and sisters Monica and Livi. Although glaucoma took away her sight completely in 2006, she remained in her home with the love and support of her family, daughter Sylvia (Tony Chesterman), son Wilson (Wilma Hewitson); grandchildren Lorraine (Philippe Holl), Lesley (Bertrand Bazin), Michael (Kathryn Dagg), and Laurel (Brian Lawry); and great-grandchildren Zoé, Alix, Max, Luke, Cohen, Lily, Christian and Dylan, as well as the help of attentive caregivers, Leni and later Weng. She is survived by her brothers Ludwig, Albert and Edmond and sisters Ann, Nell, Elizabeth, Pauline, Adeline and Jennifer. Lillian was the eldest of 13 children born to Peter and Marie (Belenchuk) Gogol, Polish/Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in Canada as children. Lillian preserved her heritage, instilling it in her children, and perhaps to a larger degree, in her grandchildren, who were awed by the intricacies of the customs, and the beliefs and recipes that are part of her legacy. As a young farmgirl she was hopeful of continuing her education but, due to her mother's illness, was obliged to replace her ambitions with hard physical work on the farm and in the home. She married William (Bill) in 1932 and they entered their married life in the midst of the Great Depression, but their teamwork, dedication and faith in God carried them through many years, endeavors and towns in Saskatchewan where they were prominent in the economic and community affairs of these rural towns. They finally settled in North Kildonan outside Winnipeg on a small wheat farm with Bill working at the CNR shops in order to provide access to higher education to the children. Lillian remained interested in current affairs and books, and strove to provide a little extra for her three children's education and childhood needs from the sale of garden produce and cream, as she had done in her youth at her parents' farm. She and Bill explored their surroundings once he had retired, driving all over southern Manitoba, sometimes only in search of the perfect prairie crocus. She and Bill were heavily involved in the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Transcona. Lillian was a member of the Ukrainian Women's Association, organizing fundraising for Concordia Hospital and other projects. She worked as a caterer at the church hall and was a dedicated member of the church community which was an outlet for her social awareness, a link to her first language, and a conduit for her great spirituality. She encouraged her three children to pursue their educations and helped them to become a Master of Education with a senior position in the Manitoba Ministry of Education; a Master of Education with a senior position in the Montreal English Catholic school system; and a Rhodes Scholar who became a Cabinet Minister in the Manitoba Government. Her family was her greatest source of pride and delight. Her support never waned: she treated her family like a garden, delivering care when and where it was needed and never hesitated to travel across Canada and later to England and France to tend it. She moved with her daughter to Burnaby, BC, in 1991. Lillian was a true Canadian pioneer, creating an incredibly rich life from hardship and struggle. She was an enthusiastic and a mean card player. She was a patriot, dedicated to Canada and its principles of social responsibility. She was curious and open-minded, fascinated by the many countries, cultures and beliefs of the world. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints of Transcona, 1500 Day Street. Prayers will be held Thursday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church. Donations in her memory can be made to the Scleroderma Society of Canada, 95 Woodfield Road SW, Calgary, AB T2W 5K5, tel: 1-866-279-0632, www.scleroderma.ca VICHNAYA PAMYAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 25, 2007