JANIS GORDIENKO

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JANIS GORDIENKO With great sadness the family of Jan announces her passing on September 3, 2009 at the Grace Hospital. Janis was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Theodore Gordienko, in 2005; her parents John and Anne Kowalski, sisters Anita, Mary, Eleanor, Margaret, and brother Adam. Mom will be lovingly remembered by her family: daughter Alesia (Donald Bailey), son Timothy (Gloria), grandchildren Shelley (Mike) and Scott, great-grandchildren Ataya and Sheala; her sister Kathy (Bill), sister-in-law Doreen (Andy), many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Janis was born in Winnipeg on June 25, 1933. Jan met Ted and they married in 1953. In 1962 they moved into their new home in Garden City with son Tim. Shortly thereafter daughter Alesia was born. Many years later as the family grew to include spouses, grandkids and great-grandkids, Jan became lovingly known as Mrs.G. She was a homemaker for many years. Jan focused on raising her children; caring, cooking and creating for her family. Jan loved to sew, and she was very skilled at it. She helped to design and create many of the Ukrainian folk dancing costumes for AUUC School of Folk Dance. Janis was a member of the Matryoshka Russian folk choir for many years, and she fitted and sewed their elaborate costumes, and exquisite headpieces. Jan believed in the positive attributes of holistic health and healing. In 1986 she opened a holistic health business - Herbally Yours - in the Corydon Village Mall. At Herbally Yours Jan focused on helping women, and she became recognized in the community as a go-to person for her advice and her holistic knowledge. She studied the medicinal use of herbs, and other natural remedies; and in the many years that she was actively consulting, Jan saw thousands of people. She helped them overcome many illnesses to restore health and balance to their lives. Many of her clients became lifelong friends, and they always turned to Jan for her inspiration and advice. After closing Herbally Yours, Jan remained active by consulting at Therapy and Herbal Alliance. She travelled across Canada many times to give lectures, and she trained others who were interested in learning about herbs. Janis received her 25 year service recognition from Nature's Sunshine Products last year. We are very proud of that. Jan scaled back her consulting in the last few years to focus on her home and many gardens, and to spend more time with her family. Jan was an avid gardener, and she had the wow' home on the block that people stopped to stare at in amazement. Jan often flexed her green thumb by experimenting with different plants, and perennial flowers in her gardens. She also took great pleasure in organizing and decorating her cozy home that she shared with her cute five-pound Maltese puppy named Rosie. The family would like to thank the nurses and healthcare aids on the 4th and 5th floor at the Grace Hospital for all that they did for Janis, and her family in her time of need. A memorial service to celebrate Jan's life is being held at the Greenwood Inn, 1715 Wellington Avenue on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are asked to share their stories about Janis and how she touched their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Siloam Mission.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 12, 2009