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LILLIAN JEANETTE KUSHNIARYK (KARPYNKA)
Born: Mar 08, 1933
Date of Passing: Sep 04, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryLILLIAN JEANETTE KUSHNIARYK (nee KARPYNKA) 1933 - 2014 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Lillian Jeanette Kushniaryk at Seven Oaks Hospital on September 4, 2014. Lillian was born on March 8, 1933 in Winnipeg to Julia (Zuk) and Theophil Karpynka and married Ernest Kushniaryk on August 13, 1966. She was predeceased by Ernest on August 26, 2009 after 43 happy years together. Left to lovingly remember Lillian are her daughter Lisa, son-in-law Ken and grandson Ari Hansen. Lillian's memory also will be cherished by her sister Jeanette (Keith) Dryburgh, nephew Scott (Wendy) Dryburgh and their son Rory, nephew Patrick (Leslie) Dryburgh and their children Leah, Hailey and Alec, and other relatives and friends in Canada, U.S.A. and Ukraine. Lillian enjoyed her career and treasured her family. She supported her husband and daughter in all of their ventures and was proud of them. Lillian was especially proud of Lisa's many musical, sporting and professional accomplishments. When Lisa married Ken, Lillian thought of him as the son she never had. Together, the three of them attended many Winnipeg Symphony concerts and several seasons of Manitoba Opera. Lillian also enjoyed exploring new restaurants with Lisa and Ken. In 2011, Lisa gave birth to a beautiful, precious baby son, Ari. He meant the world to Lillian and brought much joy to her life. Lillian and her sister, Jeanette, were very close and she greatly valued her support and encouragement. Family was extremely important to Lillian and became even more so after Ari's birth. For the first couple of years of Ari's life, she spent almost every afternoon with Lisa and him. She loved Ari and Ari loves his Baba. Lillian also enjoyed travelling. When Lisa was growing up, there were many family trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, the southern U.S.A and western Canada. After retirement, Lillian and Ernest continued to travel to warm climates such as Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, tropical cruises and also enjoyed visiting Europe. Holidays were favourite days for Lillian. She loved celebrating events and for the family to be together. Fun memories of singing carols on Christmas Eve with Lillian accompanying on the piano will live on with our family. She beamed with such happiness when Ari joined her on the piano bench to plink along. Lillian was a distinguished musician, pianist, accompanist for singers and violinists from Winnipeg and other centers, a teacher of piano, voice and music theory, examiner, adjudicator and workshop clinician. After receiving ARCT degrees in both piano and voice from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, she attained the degree of LRSM in piano from the Royal Schools of London, England and a Certificate in Group Piano Teaching from the Canadian Bureau of the Advancement of Music in Toronto. During the course of her musical education, Lillian studied piano with Boris Roubakine (Toronto) and Sonia Eckhardt-Gramatté (Winnipeg) and voice with Nina Dempsey (Winnipeg) and Gladys Whitehead (Winnipeg). As an educator, Lillian taught theory and keyboard classes at the University of Manitoba for many years. She also conducted classes in Group Piano Instruction Techniques and supervised piano classes in public schools in western Canada. She taught piano and voice privately in her home for many years and influenced many students; some of which still kept in touch to the present day and also made their careers in music. A co-producer of a Ukrainian radio program, Lillian wrote and narrated the script and as well as accompanying soloists performing on the program. Lillian was very active in the music community and was past-president of the Winnipeg branches for each of the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers' Association and the Toronto Conservatory Alumni. She also had been involved in Winnipeg Ukrainian theatre as a vocal coach and accompanist. Toronto always held a special place in Lillian's heart after spending many years studying and working there. She very much enjoyed the happy summers she spent performing at the Canadian National Exhibition. We would like to thank Dr. Heather Domke for her care over the years, the St. Boniface Hospital Cardiac Sciences Program, and especially, the doctors and staff of Seven Oaks Hospital for their compassionate care during the last few days of Lillian's time with us. Special thanks to Jeanette and Keith Dryburgh for always being there. In accordance with Lillian's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will occur at a later date. A memorial service will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street on Thursday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, donations may be made in Lillian's memory to a charity of your choice. To My Family Remember me in your heart, your thoughts and your memories, of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought and the times we laughed. For if you always think of me; I will never be gone. Love, Mom 204-586-8044
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 09, 2014
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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I first met Mrs. Kushniaryk when she came to teach piano at Faraday school. I enjoyed her lessons so much that my mother sent me to her for private piano lessons. Just happens that we lived about 5 blocks away so it was very convenient to walk over for piano classes, history of music, theory and counterpoint classes. Mrs. Kushniaryk was an amazing individual. Her musical skills were superb and her ability to push her students was exceptional. I managed to complete my Grade 10 Toronto Royal conservatory of music, while studying at the university. She knew that I could not sit and practice a much as I should, but she was patient with me, and encouraged me to continue piano as she saw abilities in me. If needed, she would give me a "talking to", but these were simply to encourage me to strive to reach perfection. I admired her musical ability in both instructing piano, voice and theory. We would often cross paths even after I finished university and she was always interested in news about my accomplishments and family. I remember how Lisa was the "apple of her eye" and can only imagine that her grandson also was precious to her. To this day, I still think of her often. My condolnences to Lisa and her family. I will miss your mom! She was a spectacular lady. - Posted by: Martha Shepertycky (piano student) on: Sep 11, 2014
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Mrs. Kushniaryk taught me piano on Parr Street, then again in Garden City. When I married and had children, I sent them to Mrs. K. as well. We are all saddened at her passing. She was an important part of our lives for many years and influenced our appreciation of art and music. Our condolences to the family. - Posted by: Arlene Stocki (nee Boychuk) (Former pupil and parent of 2 former pupils) on: Sep 11, 2014
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My condolences to the family of Lillian Kushniaryk, a woman who influenced my life in ways she would never know. From our lunchtime piano lessons at Robertson School to private lessons at the Karpinka home and then later to voice lessons at the Kushniaryk home....Lillian certainly shaped aspects of my life that were key to what I would be able to accomplish in future years. I recall discussions with her where I thought Mezzo Soprano was where I was and her assuring me I was a Soprano and needed to sing there...even though Mezzo was so much easier! She later proved that to me when she entered me into Annual Music Festival where I sang a solo at the Planetarium Auditorium facing a full house. A very very scary day for me! When I read the evaluation of my performance what stood out was that I had done a very good job of tackling a rather difficult song for a new voice student...a Soprano. What an enormous boost to my confidence that opened many doors for me after that. Thank you to Lillian for being an important influence and person in my life. Your skill, encouragement and sense of humour will never be forgotten. - Posted by: Mary Anne Yuzyk-Shore (Piano and Voice Student) on: Sep 10, 2014
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My condolences to the family - her presence will be missed, and she will be remembered. I count Lillian Karpynka amongst my lifelong role models. She was good at her craft, and a dedicated teacher. How dedicated? When her students did not practice between lessons, she not only threatened to tell your parents, she called them! I will never forget her scolding me that my parents paid good money for these piano lessons, and that I was thus wasting their money if I was not going to practice. Due to LIllian's dedication, I was able to attain my Grade 5 piano Toronto Royal Conservatory certificate with her, and obtained 2 years of Theory. I still have, in my possession, the books and sheet music I learned from, with her markings, and the check marks when I finally completed a piece to her satisfaction. Thank you Lillian, for adding to my musical education. - Posted by: Linda (Weremiuk) Henderson (Piano student) on: Sep 10, 2014
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Auntie Lillian, as I always referred to her, was probably the most talented piano player I had ever met. She was not only my piano, theory and voice teacher for many years, she was a close friend of my parents as long as I was alive. I remember her sitting down at the piano at many "family" functions, and being in awe that she could sight play something perfectly even though she had never read the music before. I will always cherish the multitude of gatherings our "BBQ group" family shared over many, many years. I will miss you, Auntie Lillian! See you again! - Posted by: Natalie Radchuk (Piano and voice student; family friend) on: Sep 09, 2014
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Lillian Karpynka was my first teacher and introduction to learning piano. I still have the cardboard fold-out of the piano keyboard that she gave us to lay flat on our desks and begin to learn how to move our fingers on it, learning scales and chords. These lessons were in grade school during our lunch hour. We practised on the cardboard keyboard, which was so fantastic, as we couldn't hear our mistakes, and we played with such confidence and fearlessly. She encouraged us, praised us as she closely watched if our fingers were positioned properly and we were 'hitting' the right notes. When we had our piano recital at the end of the school year, I actually 'won' the recital. I can still remember those grade school lunch hour lessons, and the recitals. I never stopped missing her, she's been in my mind and heart all my life, and a smile on my face when sometimes playing the piano. Her beautiful personality and teachings influenced me for all my life. I was so fortunate to have had her as my teacher. - Posted by: Lesia (Piano Student) on: Sep 09, 2014
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I remember meeting Lillian at numerous musical events and always remember how musical she was. The last time I saw her was at a Winnipeg Symphony Concert in the Concert Hall. I know how proud she would have been with her grandson. My utmost condolences to the family and relatives. - Posted by: Margaret Moroz (Friend of many years ( we knew each other as teenagers) .) on: Sep 09, 2014
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I always took care of Lillian's car here at Gauthier Cadillac. She and Ernest were more than a pleasure to deal with. Lillian was a special person and will be missed. My thoughts are with her family. - Posted by: KEVIN LAMONT (FRIEND) on: Sep 09, 2014
