KAY (KATHLEEN) HARASYN

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KAY (KATHLEEN) HARASYN Kay Harasyn, 82, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2001 at the Atikokan General Hospital. Her family and friends were with her during her lengthy stay in hospital. Kay was born Kathleen Tomkewich in Winnipeg, MB on August, 12, 1918, the middle daughter of Nicholas and Anna Tomkewich. She married Michael (Micky) Harasyn, whom shed known since childhood, in Winnipeg in 1942. The couple moved to the small, but booming, mining town of Atikokan, ON in 1946. Although she cried at the sight of her first home in the bush - far from the amenities of the big city, Kays natural good humour and lively spirit soon had her active in the life of the developing community. She played ladies softball, competed in the races during the July 1st and Labour Day celebrations and enjoyed the ample fishing and berry-picking opportunities. Kay was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She worked as well outside the home at various grocery stores. She also lovingly raised two children, Katherine and Gregory. Kay and Mike and their children returned to Manitoba in 1962 where, drawing on Kays working experience, they owned and operated the Lucky Dollar grocery store on Main Street in Teulon. As a storekeeper until 1982, Kay shared a part of the daily lives of many of Teulons population. Kay remained in Teulon after Mike passed away in 1984 until she returned to Atikokan in 1996 to be close to family. Ill health curtailed her activities, but her sense of humour and her interest in the ongoing lives of her family and friends remained steady. Her cookie jar was always full of fresh baked cookies. She was able to live independently until entering hospital in May of this year. Kay was predeceased by her parents, her husband Michael; and her sister Mary (Frank Stranges). She is survived by her brother Michael Tomkewich (Mary) and sisters Anne (John Petriwsky) and Nell (Bill Dugan). Her memory is beloved by her children, Kathy (Tom Miyata) of Atikokan and Gregory of Selkirk, MB; and grandchildren Nicholas Brown (Marianne Lyon) of Waterdown, ON, Nathan Brown ( Kate Bergsma) of Toronto, ON and Andrew Brown of Waterloo, ON. In her later years she became friends with Toms children, Kenji (Genevieve Fleger) of Toronto, ON and Keira of Paris, France. Her nieces and nephews and their families also mourn her passing. As was her wish, Kay was cremated and a memorial service was held on Saturday, June 30, in Atikokan. She will be interred in Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg after a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at the United Church in Teulon, MB on July 12. Donations in Kays memory may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital or the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 07, 2001