OLGA JEAN GOYTAN (NAKONESHNY)

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OLGA JEAN GOYTAN (nee NAKONESHNY) June 3, 1927 - June 22, 2011 Suddenly at her home, but peacefully and surrounded by her family, Olga was called to the loving arms of Jesus Christ on June 22, 2011 and will now enter the next phase of her journey into eternal life. She had fought a courageous battle with cancer since 2008. Olga is survived by her loving husband John, of 57 years, and three children Debbie, Greg, Doctors Michael (Christine) and her much loved and cherished grandchildren John and Annemarie. Olga is also survived by family pet Bichons, Coco, Sherbet II and Chloe. She was predeceased by her father Michael (1942), her mother Anne (nee Tracz) (1962), her oldest brother Nick and youngest brother Donald. She is also remembered by her brother Walter (Lucille), sister Betty (Mike), her sister-in-law Cecile and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Olga was born in Sifton, Manitoba and lived on the family farm and was proud of her Ukrainian heritage. She graduated from Ste. Rose du Lac Collegiate and attended Manitoba Teacher's College and taught in Libau and McCreary, Manitoba where she met her future husband John. They resided in Crestview where Olga was both a stay-at-home mom and substitute teacher in Winnipeg. Together they created and fostered a loving and supportive home for their three children and maintained this into their adulthood. Mom welcomed many friends and relatives into their home with open arms. She was a great mother, grandmother, aunt and educator. Regular family get-togethers including Sunday dinners, birthdays and holiday celebrations and impromptu what's for dinner? requests were important and cherished events for Olga. She enjoyed preparing Ukrainian dishes (holubchi, the world's best perogies, meatballs and gravy, and paska), creating exquisite fruit and vegetable platters and bread. Olga has many other interests in life including gardening, passing on her passion and knowledge to her family - she particularly loved double purple impatiens. As recently as early June, she was still looking forward to harvesting her pole beans and enjoying fresh strawberries! She was also an accomplished knitter, producing many beautiful afghans, baby blankets, and hand towels that have made their way into the lives of those in need and to her family who have a lasting memory of their beloved mother, aunt, and grandmother. Olga had a genuine love for animals, particularly the Bichons she visited at her daughter's and son's homes on a regular basis. She loved to regale family with tales about the squirrels, robins, hummingbirds, chipmunks, and deer every spring and summer. Olga's deep Catholic faith provided her and her family with strength and her prayers at the time of family need were often answered with family successes. She belonged to the Catholic Women's League, and she was deeply devoted to the Roman Catholic faith. Pallbearers will be John Goytan Jr., Dennis Malowski, Art Nakoneshny, Patrick Nakoneshny, Ron Shewchuk, and Daniel Van De Spiegle. The family wishes to acknowledge the support and compassion of Dr. Gooi, Dr. M. Krahn, nurse Therese and all the support staff at CancerCare Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr Gerald Langevin officiating and Msgr. Ward Jamieson offering prayers of commendation at Assiniboia Christian Centre, Blessed John XXIII Parish, 3390 Portage Avenue. You are invited to a celebration of Olga's life at a lunch following mass. In lieu of flowers, it is Olga's wish that we support the St. Boniface Research Foundation, St-Boniface Hospital Foundation Room D1003 - 409 Taché Avenue or The Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3. The loss of this kind and gentle soul will be felt by those who loved her so dearly for years to come. Rest peacefully our blessed angel. VICHNAYA PAMYAT (Everlasting Memory). For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2011