GRACE EWCHUK

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GRACE EWCHUK After gracing this world for 87 years of love and laughter Grace died on November 12, 2010 surrounded by her family. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her son Ken (Laverne), daughter Carolyn Strutt (Ronn) and her cherished grandchildren Megan (Kevin) and Andrew (Corey), sister Dona (Carl), and many nieces and nephews and friends. Her parents, her husband Joe and seven siblings predeceased her. Grace was born in Skala, Ukraine in 1923 on Valentine's Day, the second child of Julia and Gregory Polischuk and immigrated to Canada in 1928. She became the eldest of seven children when two siblings died and her destiny was to become and remain the family matriarch. She lived in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan until she was 18 and then moved to Winnipeg. Her parents and six younger siblings quickly followed her to the North End of Winnipeg. Their collective zest for laughing through tough times and pulling together as a family were always evident. Grace worked at a variety of jobs during the war and then found her niche in the retail business on Selkirk Avenue, working at Clifford's Ladies Wear. In 1946 she met the love of her life, Joe Ewchuk, and they were married in 1947. Their two children, Ken and Carolyn were born in 1950 and 1952 and Grace adored every moment of being a parent, utilizing all of the skills and experiences she had garnered from being the older sister in a large family. In 1956 the family moved to Transcona and Grace worked for many years at Dressland, only one block from home. She connected so easily and instantly with all and with the small town atmosphere in Transcona in the 1960s and 1970s. She loved to cook and entertain and the house and her kitchen were filled with family and friends - singing, dancing and of course laughing. She also loved going to the movies, nature, oil painting and playing cards. She had a keen interest in politics, community and social justice issues. But first and foremost she loved interacting with people. Her two grandchildren were her pride and joy from the day they were born and she was a doting and devoted grandparent. She was widowed in 1988 and in 1990 Fred Douglas Place became her new home where she lived up until her death. At Fred Douglas Place Grace made many new friends and was involved in all of the activities. Her Fred Douglas family meant so much to her and visa versa. Grace was a unique and generous individual with a quick and easy wit, a zest for life and a wicked sense of humour. Her spirituality sustained her. She had the unique ability to make everyone comfortable and feel special in her presence and she generously shared her wisdom and perspectives, which taught us all important life lessons. She never expected anything for herself from others but she demanded tolerance, fairness and respect for everyone. She has taught us all about courage, optimism, generosity, patience and hope and leaves a legacy with all who had the privilege to know her. There are many Gracisms and Grace stories to nurture us. She did grace us all with her smile! The family would like to thank Jane Macdonald her Nurse Practitioner for all of her exemplary care, the Home Care staff, particularly Tess, who assisted her to stay in her home and the staff on E5 at St. Boniface Hospital for their compassionate care and kindness during the last week of her life. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2010