EILEEN ANDRAYKO

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EILEEN ANDRAYKO (BARCHUK) December 8, 1929 - May 18, 2017 Peacefully, surrounded in love, at Deer Lodge Centre on May 18, 2017, Eileen passed away at age 87. She is survived by her three daughters, Cathy (Dave) Smith, Laurie (Ken) Wasiuta, and Susan (Will) Majcher; six grandchildren, Shannon, Michelle (Jarrett), Nicholas (Jessica), Sara, Natalie and Blake. Eileen was predeceased by her husband Peter, as well as her parents, Anthony and Rose Barchuk, and her four siblings, Ann, Mary, Florence and Martin. Eileen was born December 8, 1929 in East Selkirk, Manitoba. Mom and her siblings attended Happy Thought School. As a child, she enjoyed living on the farm, chasing the cows and chickens. As a young woman, Eileen worked at Packers Women's Clothing store in Selkirk, before she began her R.N. Training at the Misericordia Hospital in Winnipeg. Eileen and Peter met at a dance and they were married on July 5, 1952. Eileen practiced as a nurse until she and Peter had their family. Life was good in St. James where the Andrayko family were part of the neighbourhood of Cavell Drive and of Bourkevale Community Club. Here our mom and dad were very involved in many club activities such as playing bridge, square-dancing, organizing teen dances, and administrative duties. As a family, we spent many happy summers going camping - we travelled to, and camped in, campgrounds all across Canada and parts of the USA. Eileen worked as a RN at Deer Lodge Centre and then as an office worker at Sears, until she retired. After Peter died in 1990, Eileen moved to the Courts of St. James where she joined the Rat Pack gang, a group of retired women who liked to have fun, travel and visit Legends Lounge for birthday celebrations. For the next 20 years, Eileen returned to the Deer Lodge Centre where she volunteered her time in Chad's Bar as a barmaid. When her health began to fail, Eileen moved into the personal care facility at Deer Lodge Centre. She was always very independent and Eileen easily (and often) wheeled herself to the residents' lounge on the second floor. Mom was an avid reader and bridge player, and she loved her crosswords, puzzles and Sudokus. Eileen loved her family parties and celebrations. Our family will all miss her singing telegrams on birthdays. She was always so proud of her six grandchildren who have all become professional young adults. Eileen and her family are especially grateful to Dr. Griggs and the very professional, compassionate and kind staff of Lodge 7 East/West, especially the nurses Kim, Jane, Amberlie, Donna, Selin, Yen and others. Eileen's was a "life well lived"! Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held tomorrow, Sunday, May 28, 2017, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Deer Lodge Centre Auditorium, Portage Avenue entrance, 2109 Portage Ave. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 27, 2017