YVETTE TRETIAK

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

YVETTE TRETIAK
March 31, 1940 - February 7, 2019

My mom was born on a section of land near Shoal Lake called Kelloe. She was the first of four children for Harry and Katie Lukaschuk. She grew up on the family farm until their father's death in 1951, when they moved to Shoal Lake. After high school she enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nursing Program in Winnipeg, graduating in 1960.
While working in Fisher Branch, she met my dad Dan, and they were married on June 6, 1965 in Oakburn. They started their married life in Broad Valley, being the first home for my brother Doug and I. In 1969, we moved to Winnipeg.
Gardening was one of her passions. To say she had a green thumb would be an understatement. Her plants, indoors and out, were her pride and joy. Every seedling grown in her greenhouse was planted. She said every one of them deserved a chance to grow. Vegetables were harvested and turned into many things we ate over the winter months. She also canned, jammed, and jellied many fruits from local saskatoons to peaches from BC. We never lacked for cakes, pies, cookies, tarts, or squares as she liked to keep my dad's sweet tooth satisfied.
However I think she got the most joy from cooking traditional Ukrainian food. Who knows how many thousands of perogies she made? Several hundred dozens each year were made before Christmas for numerous people.
She worked for many years at Concordia Hospital, an excellent nurse, always taking pride in her uniform and cap. After retiring, she worked another 10 years at the local Sobeys in their bakery department.
She was never idle. Even while watching her favourite sport, curling, she was busy knitting dishcloths.

It's hard to believe
a year has already gone by.
I think of you and miss you every day
but your love will always be in my heart.
Heather

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2020