MAKALINA (LENA) NYKOLUK (LOPUCK)

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MAKALINA (LENA) NYKOLUK (LOPUCK) September 29, 1916 - December 23, 2007 With loving heartfelt thoughts, our family wishes to announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great- Grandmother at her home in Fred Douglas Lodge. Lena was predeceased by her husband Paul (1992), her sons Jack (2001) and Richard (2006), her sister Helen and brothers, Eugene, Joe, Len and Stan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Lena will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by daughter Diana (Barry) Hansell, grandson Jeff (Shannon), great-grandchildren, Bradley and Ryan; and granddaughter Nadine all of Beausejour, MB; by Jack's (Sylvia) sons, Gord (Kim) and their children Mikaela, Tara and Courtney of Winnipeg, MB. and Doug (Dorothy) and their children Sean, Bryan and Jessica of Abbotsford, BC; and Richard's (Joyce) daughter Lynn of Winnipeg and Minneapolis, MN. Lena was the last of six children born to Anna and Paul Lopuck of Transcona on September 29, 1916 where she was raised and lived most of her life. On October 1, 1933, she married the love of her life Paul Nykoluk. They were married for 59 years before Paul went on ahead in November 23, 1992. Responsibility was thrust upon her as wife, mother and family caregiver at an early age. If a family member was in need, she was always there to help provide a meal, clothing and shelter. She loved living in Transcona and volunteered in the canteen at the East End Community Club with her long time friend Elsie Ringach. Pride in her entire family shone through first and foremost. The family has many memories from the traditional Christmas Eve dinners which was an event she would not take no for an answer, you had to be there. She enjoyed cooking, playing cards, bingo and just being with her friends. Lena and Paul would spend many summers in a small rented cabin at Grand Beach until 1966 when they built the family cottage at Big Whiteshell Lake. They loved traveling to Hawaii, Bermuda and made many trips to California to be with Paul's brother Joe and extended family. For the past six years, Fred Douglas Lodge has been home for Lena. The family extends a most heartfelt Thank You to the staff of Fred Douglas Lodge for their loving care during her stay; and for looking after our family during our time in need. Father, we thank Thee for the night, And for the pleasant morning light, For rest and food and loving care, And all that makes the world so fair. Help us to do the things we should, To be to others kind and good, In all we do, in all we say, To grow more loving every day Our family chain is broken, Nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, Our chain will link again. We'll all miss you! Services will be held Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Transcona Funeral Chapel 1800 Day St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lena's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Fred Douglas Society Inc., or to a charity of one's choice. Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2007