KAYE SALAMANDYK

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KAYE SALAMANDYK (MIHYCHUK, MELESHKO) May 25, 1916 - August 15, 2016 Peacefully, surrounded by family, Kaye passed away Monday afternoon. Kaye is survived by her daughters Rosemarie Ennen and The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, grandchildren Lana Ennen, John Mihychuk, Sarah Mihychuk, Hannah Mihychuk Marshall and great-granddaughter Justine Ennen. She was predeceased by her cherished son John (1979), her husbands Dmetro (Matt) Mihychuk and Harry Meleshko and seven siblings (William, Anne, Alex, Mary, Peter, Steve and Sam). Born in 1916, in the family farmhouse in Senkiw, Manitoba, Kaye lived most of her life in Vita and Winnipeg, with a short period in Toronto during the Second World War, and snow-birding in Magic Valley, Weslaco, Texas after retirement. She was a lifelong member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the Senkiw Greek Orthodox church. Kaye was a pioneer among women. She drove before it was fashionable, hunted, fished, traveled and ran her own business as well as excelling at gardening, bee keeping, baking and quilting. As a feminist, she urged her daughters to get an education, be independent and better their lives for themselves and their families. Katherine was a caregiver. She left school in grade 7 in order to look after her mother, Wasylyna (Lena Panczyszyn). She continued providing care throughout her life: to her son John, brothers Alec and Sam, her sister-in-law Annie Mihaychuk, grandson John and the many women in the Vita region who came to Kaye's boarding house waiting for delivery of their babies at the Vita Regional Hospital. Kaye's determination and tenacity were tested when her home became the emergency hospital, as the Vita hospital was devastated in 1955 by a tornado. For eleven days the power was out, Kaye waded through her flooded basement, feeding the furnace with coal to keep the house warm and everyone fed. Kaye was very adventurous, throughout her years she traveled all through North America and Europe (mostly Ukraine). Kaye enjoyed going in the bush in search of wild mushrooms, blueberries and saskatoons. She loved fishing, playing cards, dancing and spending time with loved ones. Kaye will live on in our hearts. She was an inspiration to many, and will be remembered forever. Join us for a celebration of life August 19, 2016 at 12:00 noon, Glen Eden Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 18, 2016