KATHERINE KLOWAK (MARYKUCA) 1905-2008

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KATHERINE KLOWAK (MARYKUCA) 1905-2008 Peacefully, on October 29, 2008, with family members by her side, Katherine Klowak, one month shy of her 103rd birthday, passed to eternal life at The Holy Family Nursing Home. Katherine was born on November 29, 1905, in the village of Dehowa in Western Ukraine to parents Constantine and Donia Marykuca (Torbiak). At the age of eight she with her family immigrated to Canada in 1913 and settled in Poplarfield and Fisher Branch, Manitoba. She married George in 1923 and they were graced with four children Stefan, Bernard, Luba and Norman. As a bride to a railroad employee they moved from one rural Manitoba community to another, settling in Poplarfield in 1937. They lived a very active and fruitful life in Poplarfield, especially in community and St. Nicholas Parish activities. She was a very gifted actress, a local star in her own right. She was known for improvising little extras of her own making. The audience recognized them as such and just loved it. Katherine also sewed many costumes for the plays and embroidered many altar cloths and planned Prazniks, church dinners and picnics. Her home was always a host for many priests and nuns and the community at large. With moving to Winnipeg in 1966, she continued her work as she was a very active member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League at Holy Eucharist Parish and St. Vladimir Olga Cathedral. All proceeds from her acting career in Winnipeg helped to raise funds for Holy Family Nursing Home. All of her children's and grandchildren's homes display her needlepoint pictures and Ukrainian embroidery. Her Easter Paskas and decorated eggs were a work of art and truly admired by many. She probably made a million perogies in her lifetime. Traditional Ukrainian food was always on hand for all visitors. There was always a call to Hoida Yesta . (Come eat) Religion and her family were central in her life. She was high on morals and through example, showed all the importance of love and prayer. Katherine taught her children their prayers as soon as they were able to talk, just as her mother had taught her. Her unaltered faith and deep devotion to the Blessed Mother was her lifeline and she attended Mass daily. While at the Holy Family nursing home she used to say in Ukrainian it's not going to get much better than this in heaven referring to the chapel, religious paintings on the walls and daily presence of the Sisters. Katherine enjoyed life to the fullest. She was blessed with amazing health until just recently. She was predeceased by her parents, husband George, sons Stefan, and Norman; daughter Luba and son in law Peter Bailley, seven brothers and one sister. She leaves to mourn and will be forever cherished by her sister Dora Legin, son Bernard (wife Olia), daughter in law Ollie, nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Prayers will be said on Thursday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St. Divine Liturgy, in celebration of her life will be on Friday, November 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 114 McGregor Ave., officiated by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Buyachok. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. To Dr. Babick, Holy Family Nursing Home staff of 2A, Maria pastoral team and the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, we thank you for your gifts of compassion, loving care, kindness and prayer for Katherine during her residency and especially during her last days. Mom/Baba we thank you for loving each of us just for the way we are, for your generosity and for teaching us the meaning of family, tradition and especially the power of prayer and faith. We will hold you in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Novitiate of Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, 600 Cathedral Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W OY5. We love you! We'll miss you! VICHNAYA PAMYAT Rest in Peace KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 05, 2008