EVELYN MELNYK

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EVELYN MELNYK (nee MUDRY) 1919 - 2016 During the early evening of Sunday, September 4, our dearly beloved Mother left us. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Randy (Barbara), Donald (Zdenka) and Adele; brother Nestor Mudry; and grandchildren, Adrian and Elizabeth (Hans), as well as extended family members. She was predeceased by her young son Gregory; her sisters, Betty, Natalie and Eugenie; her parents, Theodosia and George; and her former husband Marvin. She was born at the family home on Selkirk Avenue built by her father. She attended King Edward School across the street and later Isaac Newton High School, where she met her future husband Marvin. Following Grade XI, she attended and excelled at business college. During the War, she was a civilian member employed by the RCAF and worked at No. 7, Tiger Moth Division. She and Marvin married in 1942. In 1952, they moved into their house on Tinniswood Street, where they raised their children. This was her primary residence until health issues required her to move to a personal care home. She was a remarkable woman and a wonderful mother - she was a woman of her time and yet a woman ahead of her time. Following marriage to Marvin and raising three children, she was not content to be categorized, according to then society's labels. Sometimes, in a social setting, some well-intentioned person would innocently ask her occupation. Mother would respond with the usual: that she was raising three children at home. The person would state, "So you're a housewife." Mother would bristle with obvious annoyance and remark "No, I am not married to the house!" She obtained her Grade 12 Matriculation at night courses. This was a mandatory requirement for university, as there was no mature student program in the late 1960s. It was highly unusual for a middle-aged woman to attend university during that era. In short order, she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, followed by her Diploma in Education, wholly surrounded by students in their early 20s. She enjoyed her interactions with them and displayed the same youthful energy. Mother then embarked on a teaching career for many years, specializing in art. Borrowing a phrase from an Elvis tune, she would, from time to time, proudly proclaim, "I did it my way." She loved inspiring her students to explore their creative abilities. She was so happy that her son Randy demonstrated a natural artistic talent, and together they spent many hours critiquing their own and other people's artwork. She was a founding member of the Medea Art Gallery. Over the years, she was also a prolific participant in the Manitoba Society of Artists exhibitions. She was immensely proud each time one of her paintings was recognized for excellence by the jury. In addition to her passion for art, she pursued other interests with the same intensity: gymnastics as a teen; swimming well into her 80s; dancing; enjoying all genres of music; welcoming informed but spirited discussions on any topic; savouring a good joke; embracing an enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth; and reciting classical poetry by rote. Mother encouraged and helped each of her children to appreciate and pursue cultural endeavours, such as music and dance lessons, and instilling pride in our Ukrainian heritage. Mother's love of worldly travel was self-evident throughout many decades - the 1965 New York World Fair, Expo 67 in Montreal, Japan with members of the Medea Gallery, annual visits to California to visit relatives, and Expo 88 in Australia. She also loved her two grandchildren dearly. She spent the past several years at Golden Links Lodge, where her magnetism led to the development of close relationships with staff. We are grateful for the compassionate and exemplary care she received. In her twilight years, she still maintained her wicked sense of wit and would keep us well-entertained. In accordance with her wishes, she donated her body to the University of Manitoba, for the advancement of medicine through anatomical study. If desired, contributions can be made to: The Anatomical Research Fund, in care of University of Manitoba Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, 130 Basic Medical Sciences Building, 745 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9. It has been said, "Beautiful young people may be accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2016