VIOLET ISARYK

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VIOLET ISARYK Violet Nykoluk was born on March 8, 1927 into a Ukrainian Catholic family that were immigrants from Ukraine. Vi was christened with a Ukrainian name: Wyronika. Her father arrived from Ukraine in 1914 to claim a piece of land for a homestead and by 1923 it was established enough (and enough money was saved) to bring his wife over from Ukraine. Vi and her brother John were born on the farm. Vi's father had poor health so that meant that his wife and children had to work hard with the livestock, crops and gardens to have enough to live on. Enough for themselves and some extra to sell to make money. Vi carried that spirit of entrepreneurship throughout her life. Violet's family had a pioneer homestead near the town of Riding Mountain, MB. They attended church in Mountain Road and Polonia. When she was young, she spoke Ukrainian and Polish. Vi learned to speak English when she started school at the age of 11 - her father wasn't going to send her to school (the thinking at that time was that girls were going to get married so they didn't need to spend much time in school), but the police came to the door and told him he had to send her. Violet was married twice: at the age of 17 she married Fred Isaryk who worked for the CN. They had two children; Lynda (Dauphin) and Bill (Winnipeg). During this time Vi worked as a cook for the Manitoba Development Centre in Portage la Prairie for many years, she also owned and operated several houses in Portage for elderly persons who required light assisted living. Family and good food were always important to Vi - her table was always set generously. This meant that she grew a large garden, preserved many (hundreds) jars each year and froze produce. Fred passed away after many years of marriage. Vi found love again with her second husband, Bill, a retired farmer. They loved to tease each other and played many games of cards together. They also enjoyed many years together before Bill passed away in 2003. Vi's son Bill passed away suddenly in 2007 and she found this very difficult. Vi was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Terry, David, Michael, Tara, Nicole, Courtney, Emily, Jonah and Matthew not including many nieces, nephews, other dear family members and friends throughout the world. Upon retirement Vi and Bill moved Winnipeg to be closer to family. Family was always very important to Vi and she was a very sociable extrovert: she loved interacting with other people, and easily made new friends. Perhaps they were drawn to her loving personality and her willingness to listen. Vi liked to tease, often with a straight face, which sometimes caused people to think that she was a difficult or gruff person. Inside she had a gentle, humble and sensitive spirit. Vi felt that certain things made a place a home: doilies, plants, family photos, decorative furnishings... and good food served on china (rose patterned). Sometimes she baked bread in the wee hours of the morning so it would be fresh for breakfast. She loved dancing; roses were her favourite flower (red or yellow); she loved reading Harlequin Romances (hundreds). Vi was able to love and forgive in difficult situations, to smile even when it hurt and to keep the spark of hope alive in her spirit until the end. She believed in God, prayed and was thankful for what she was given. Violet died at Pembina Place personal care home on August 22, 2013. Many thanks to the staff who were loving and kind. Graveside service will be Saturday, September 21 2013 10:30 a.m. at St. Vital cemetery in Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2013