MARION KATHERINE "PINKY" KAZUK IWANOCZKO

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MARION KATHERINE "PINKY" (KAZUK) IWANOCZKO
February 25, 1932 – November 22, 2020

Mom's wings were ready, but our hearts weren't!
It is with great sorrow and aching loss that we announce the sudden passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie, and dear friend to many Marion "Pinky" (Kazuk) Iwanoczko on November 22, 2020.
Marion is survived by her son Glen (wife Sue), granddaughter Caitlin Stakhura (husband Vlad), great-granddaughters Emilia, Camille, and Delilah Stakhura; and her daughter Shannon Coughlin, grandson Blaine Coughlin (wife Vanessa Nowostawski). Marion was recently predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of 70 years Karl Iwanoczko, and her son-in-law Les Coughlin. She was predeceased by her parents Samuel and Mary (Geswein) Kazuk; her siblings and in-laws Anne Derby (husband Mike); Fred Kazuk (wife Helen); Norman Kaziuk (wife Hazel); Eddie Kazuk; Jack Kazuk; sister-in-law Vicki Kazuk; Gary Kazuk; Alvin Kazuk. She is also survived by her sister Linda Kitchen (husband Jim), brother Ken Kazuk, and sister-in-law Gail Kazuk. On the Iwanoczko side she was predeceased by in-laws John and Sophie Iwanoczko (Russell), Marie Flanagan (husband Bill), Mike "Shorty" Iwanoczko (wife Mary Lou), and Leo Iwanoczko (wife Gloria).
She is survived and fondly remembered by many Iwanoczko and Kazuk nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, who all held special places in her heart. She loved the colour pink from a very young age and was known all her life by the Kazuk family as Pinky or Auntie Pinky.
Marion was the fourth oldest in a large railway/farming family of 10 siblings, all of whom she adored. She met her childhood sweetheart Karl at the age of 14 and married him at 18, working at Eaton's until she married Dad in 1950. She was also quite the softball player, being inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame for her play in 1948-49. After marrying, Mom and Dad lived in several locations following his railway assignments around western Canada, settling in Elma, Manitoba for some time where they started their family. They moved to more railway assignments until finally settling in their beloved Redditt, Ontario for many years, before moving to and retiring in Winnipeg/Transcona. Many family members have great memories of visiting Marion and Karl in Redditt, their Valhalla. Mom enjoyed nothing more than entertaining and feeding guests, and including having family especially nieces and nephews stay for a week or so. She kept a lovely spotless home and loved to cook huge meals and bake a multitude of goodies. No one could match her beautifully frosted angel food cakes or butter tarts! There were always people coming over for supper or for coffee or to play cards. During holidays her table and our bellies groaned with the feasts she prepared, she worked hard to make every holiday very special and memorable. She also enjoyed pitching in to work with community organizations from the Redditt Community Club to the Transcona Retired Citizen's Organization to Park City Meadows Co-op – contributing baking, working the doors and the kitchens, organizing or joining in activities - whatever needed to be done.
Mom was a loving wife and mother and an adoring grandma and great-grandma, who was happiest to be surrounded by her family and extended family. She was an "Ever Ready Bunny" of energy, even a bout with breast cancer couldn't keep her down. Mom and Dad made many wonderful dear friends over the years, she enjoyed chatting with friends and family via marathon phone conversations. She also very much enjoyed her sizeable collection of ornaments and chatchkas, many that came from family and friends and had special meaning to her!
We wish to thank the wonderful caring staff of Luther Home who took such good care of Mom for the last four years as she battled dementia and other health challenges. You were truly her second family and we have no words to express our appreciation for your dedication and professionalism. We know her ever present smile was an indication of your jobs well done.
Mom has been cremated and will be laid to rest beside Dad, at Glen Lawn Cemetery, they are together again, and with their beloved poodle Cuddles. Rest in Peace Mom, free of your earthly bonds. We love you and will miss you.
A joint Celebration of Life will be held for Mom and Dad at a later date when circumstances permit.
If desired donations may be made to Luther Home or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba in Mom's memory.

Family and friends may sign a Book of
Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca.

Glen Lawn Funeral Home
204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020