MARY MELNYK -

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MARY MELNYK 1922 - 2007 With deep sadness we announce the unexpected, but peaceful, passing of Mary Melnyk, beloved mother and grandmother, in the early morning of September 18, 2007. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Ivan (John) in 2006. Mary was also predeceased by her father Theodore; her mother Julia; sisters, Nettie and Anne; and granddaughter Julie-Anne. Mary was born in Winnipeg on December 25, 1922, and grew up on Ottawa Ave. in East Kildonan. She was the eldest of five daughters, and at a young age, with both parents working, had the role of caregiver to her siblings. During that era of the Great Depression the family persevered and, through those hard times, worked together to make ends meet. Mother told us that as a child she loved learning and going to school, and throughout her childhood she always felt a calm and serenity within the Church. As a young adult Mary entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate Novitiate at Mundare, AB, in 1940. She attended Teacher's College in Saskatoon and took Arts and Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan during her summer vacations. Mary was known as a talented and industrious educator who was efficient and conscientious. She mastered the subject material, and classroom sincerity was her most outstanding characteristic. Mary taught high school classes at the Sisters Servants boarding and day schools for young women at: Yorkton, SK, Sloatsburg, NY, and Ancaster, ON. Mary also achieved fluency in the Ukrainian, French, English, and Latin languages. After 14 years Mary peacefully returned to outside life where she continued to teach and always maintained her friendship with the Sisters Servants, her affiliation with the Church, and faith in our Lord. With her beautiful voice and love for singing Mary met her beloved husband Ivan, in a parish choir where they sang together. Mary and Ivan wed in 1957, and soon bought a house in the Morse Place area of East Kildonan where they continued their lives together. Through the years Mary was a devoted wife and mother, and also worked part-time as a teacher, including instruction in Catechism. During the 1970s, Mother also worked at Eaton's and The Bay, downtown. Mother loved nature and never gave up her ambition to gain more knowledge. She loved children, and would always want to calm a child if it should cry. Left to cherish her memory are Mary's children, Joanne and Michael; daughter-in-law Kimberly; grandson Michael; stepson George; stepgrandchildren, Jason, Leslie, Stephanie, and Jennifer; sisters, Elsie and Martha, and their families, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, neighbours and friends. Prayers will be said on Monday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, corner of Watt St. and Munroe Ave. Funeral service will be celebrated Tuesday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m., also at the church, with Rev. Fr. M. Winn officiating. Interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery. As you, Mary, loved the sound of birds singing, and the cheerfulness of the robin's song, we will miss the sweet sound of your voice, your wisdom, your comforting embrace. Farewell, in ways that words cannot express, Dear, Sweet, Mother. Vichnaya Pamyat Family Owned and Operated Knysh Funeral Chapel 582-0973

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 22, 2007