Leaving DRUL

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DRUL: Leaving us with many precious and fond memories, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jessie Drul passed away at the Rossburn Personal Care Home with her family at her side on Sunday, October 6, 2013. She was born on April 18, 1923 to Nykola and Palahna (nee Hrynkiw) Leganchuk. She was the sixth of seven children and youngest of three sisters. She attended Braddock and Rogers Schools – finishing grade eight. For several years she walked three miles to Dolony for religious studies and to learn how to read and write in Ukrainian. Her sister Lena worked for John and Anastasia (nee Kazamir) Drul and that’s how mom met her future husband William Drul. On November 26, 1942, Mom and Dad were married in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Holy Transfiguration at Menzie. They lived with dad’s parents for eight years. Life on the farm was difficult and very hard work as there were not the modern conveniences and luxuries we have today. During harvest time many meals and lunches were taken out to the fields where the men were threshing. In 1944 they welcomed their eldest daughter Shirley, followed by daughter Helen in 1947. In 1949 mom and dad purchased land from Alec and Anne Kowal where they owned and operated a grain and livestock farm. In 1954, their son Wayne was born. As farming evolved, mom and dad continued to expand the farming operation. Milking cows also became easier when a milking machine was purchased. In 1963, they built a new home on the site where Braddock School once stood. Mom was a dedicated member of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada – Lesia Ukrainka Branch for over fifty years. She held the position of president for over forty tears and secretary for several years. She participated in the church choir, held the secretary position of Menzie Ukrainian National Home and was secretary-treasurer of the church. Many evenings were enjoyed with choir practices, dramas and concerts. During Ukrainian Christmas, caroling was enjoyed with members of the congregation, traveling from house to house and celebrating the joyous season. The most memorable moments took place in various homes where everyone enjoyed having parties, playing cards, laughter, jokes, and singing were always heard in the homes. Mom and dad looked forward to dances at Menzie Ukrainian National Home as both enjoyed dancing. After dad’s passing in 1973, Mom and Wayne continued the farming operation. In 1976, mom retired and moved to her newly built home in Oakburn. She enjoyed picking raspberries with Caroline Sheeshka, picking mushrooms, curling, camping, fishing, playing cards, bingo, gardening and looking after her flowers. She helped with functions at the Oakburn Ukrainian National Home and the Oakburn Memorial Rink. Mom was very creative in making pysanki (Ukrainian Easter eggs) during Easter. She enjoyed socializing and visiting with her long time friend, Mae Chwaluk. As neigbours, they attended many church and social functions together. Mom particularly enjoyed Ukrainian music and watching performances by the Oakburn Ukrainian Teren Dancers. At harvest time, she loved going to the farm to help prepare meals. Occasionally, son Wayne would give her a ride in the grain truck and the combine. She enjoyed those times as she was always amazed by the advancement of farm machinery. She would ask Wayne, “Why is the wheat looking so short?” forgetting how high she was sitting in the combine. The family always got a chuckle when Mom used the 2 way radio. She would hold the mic to her mouth and say, “Wayne, do you copy?” and then quickly move the mic to her ear waiting for the response as if it were a telephone. Mom was very proud of her family and took great pride and interest in their lives. She looked forward to babysitting her grandchildren and attending their many events and concerts. As time went on, she was thrilled to be a great grandmother and took pleasure in watching them grow. Over the years, mom enjoyed traveling abroad. She visited Ukraine in 1974, where she met relatives of the Drul family; Hawaii in 1978; England, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France in 1988; Maritimes/New England in 1989 as well as numerous places throughout Canada and the United States. In 2008, mom moved to Rossburn Personal Care Home to receive more consistent care due to Parkinson Disease. It was difficult to leave behind the comforts and independence of her home, however she soon learned to enjoy the additional care and newfound friendships. She participated in a variety of activities at the Home and particularly enjoyed playing cards with her friends, the late Jean Moroz, Edith Jones and Helen Kostesky. In April, we had the honor of celebrating mom’s 90th birthday. We shared many precious and fond memories of her life and enjoyed celebrating the day. Over the course of the summer, mom’s health continued to fail and she lived for five months after celebrating her 90th birthday. Mom was predeceased by her husband Bill, parents and parents-in-law, son-in-law Eugene Lazaruk, brothers Michael, John, sister-in-law Lena Leganchuk, sister Mary, brother-in-law Nick Sawchyn, sister Lena, brother-in-law John Shmanka, sister Anne, brother-in-law Joe Fiarchuk, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Maurice and Myrtle Drul. She is survived by one brother Joe and sister-in-law Cassie Leganchuk. Three children, daughter Shirley, son-in-law Myrcel Sheeshka,daughter Helen Lazaruk and partner Boris Kukurudz, son Wayne, daughter-in-law Gwen Drul. Seven grandchildren, grandson David Sheeshka, partner Jennifer Griffin, granddaughter Lisa and husband Garnet Joynt, granddaughter Tracy Lazaruk, grandson Kelly and wife Sherry Lazaruk, granddaughter Jennifer and husband Kirk Saban, grandson Collin and wife Lesia Drul, and grandson Braden Drul and partner Misty Kowaluk. Eight great grandchildren, Kyle and Ashley Joynt, Cody Chaboyer, Keira, Justin, and Makenna Saban, Landon and Colton Drul. Mom would have been so thrilled to have met her youngest great granddaughter Makenna Saban. Three step great grandchildren- Trevor and Jasmine Strutt and Kiera Griffin as well as many nieces and nephews. Panakhyda was held on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from Rae’s Funeral Chapel, Shoal Lake and the funeral service on Monday, October 14, 2013 from St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Oakburn with Rt. Rev. Mitred Michael Skrumeda officiating. Interment followed at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery at Menzie. A hot meal was held at Oakburn Ukrainian National Home. Pallbearers were her grandsons David Sheeshka, Kelly Lazaruk, Collin Drul, Braden Drul, great grandson Kyle Joynt, grandson- in-law Garnet Joynt. Crossbearer, Godson Ron Drul. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Menzie Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery Fund, c/o R.M. of Strathclair, MB. P.O. Box 160, Strathclair, MB. ROJ 2CO, Rossburn Personal Care Home, Rossburn, MB, ROJ 1VO, or Parkinson Society Manitoba. Remembrances and condolences may be emailed to: raesfs@mymts.netMom was a generous and loving person. She will be remembered fondly and lovingly and will be forever in our hearts, never forgotten. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal! Rest in peace dearest mother, grandmother and great grandmother.Vichnaya Pam’yat – Memory Eternal!Rae’s Funeral Service of Shoal Lake were in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 19, 2013