HELEN MARIAN BURCHUK (BALNESS)

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HELEN MARIAN BURCHUK (nee BALNESS) May 27, 1939 - February 10, 2011 It is with deep sadness that we announce that Marian passed away with family by her side, on Thursday evening, February 10, 2011. She leaves to mourn her devoted husband and partner of 50 years, Peter; daughters, Shannon (Winnipeg), Elanna (Petersfield); and son Rob and Lisa (Winnipeg); and much loved grand-children, Dale, Skyler, Corey Coco . Surviving Marian are her sister Eli and Robert Tinant (Lac du Bonnet); brothers, James (Winnipeg), Chris and Netta (Lac du Bonnet), Howard and Betty (Lac du Bonnet); sisters-in-law, Maryanne (Whitemouth), Evelyn (Calgary); in-laws include Mary and Tony Stratuliak (Ethelbert), Jean and Boris Prokopowich (Roblin), Bill and Ursula Burchuk (Winnipeg), Vicki and Lawrence Kostiuk (Beausejour), Olga and Johnny Kolochuk (St. Francis Xavier), Mike Burchuk (Winnipeg), Wally and Jean Burchuk (Stonewall). Marian was predeceased by her parents, Christopher and Catherine Balness; father and mother-in-law, Nicholas and Minnie Burchuk; her infant brother and sister; brothers, George and Gerald; sister-in-law Suzie; nephew Carson; sister-in-law Anne; brother-in-law Alex; and nephew Dale. Also cherishing her memory are goddaughter Vicki Balness (Ashley and Bradley of Calgary); close friends, Joyce and Ed Pawluk (Woodlands) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Marian was born in Winnipeg and lived in Brookfield, MB. She attended the Manitoba Teachers College where she met her future husband, Peter. They were married July 6, 1961. She taught school in River Hills, MB, Brooklands (Winnipeg) and then left teaching for several years to raise her three children. She later returned to teach alongside her sister-in-law Olga. In 1977, Peter and Marian opened the Family Fare Grocery Store in Stonewall, then expanded in 1989 to Food Fare, which they owned and operated for 22 years. Marian was happy to retire to her horses and lily beds in 1999. Growing up, her children's friends were welcomed as frequent visitors and made to feel like part of the family. Marian was a good cook and loved to bake for friends and family. Many were the lucky recipients of her generosity. In her younger days, Marian was quite an athlete, playing a mean short stop and curling with Peter at the Old Fort Garry Curling Club. They passed on their love of sports to their children and grandchildren. Peter and Marian enjoyed many road trips to Kentucky with cousins, Joyce and Ed Pawluk. Peter's dreams of owning their own race horse were soon overshadowed by Marian's success as a breeder, earning her the Manitoba Bred Older Harness Horse of the Year in 1996 and 1997. Every July Marian looked forward to a trek to the Neepawa Lily Festival just to look at the new varieties. Inevitably the back of the van would be filled with her new purchases for her ever expanding lily bed. Peter often had to go out with his flashlight to call Marian in from her gardens. The family would like to thank Marian's special home care workers, CancerCare Manitoba and the wonderful staff of the Stonewall Hospital for their care and compassion of Marian and her family during her final days. Gratitude and love to our friends and family for their thoughts, visits and generosity. Prayers will be held on Monday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, 433 Main St. Stonewall. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m., also at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, 433 Main St., Stonewall. In lieu of flowers, in Marian's memory, please consider donating to the Lions and Legion Palliative Care Room Reno Fund in care of P.O. Box 670, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 or a pet rescue shelter of your choice. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2011