FLORENCE (FLORA) (nee BURLACK) ONOFRIECHUK

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FLORENCE (FLORA) (nee BURLACK) ONOFRIECHUK 1924 - 2002 It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our mom on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at Lions Manor, Winnipeg, MB. Mom was born November 10, 1924, in Boulton Municipality, Shell Valley, MB, eldest child of Vasile and Angelina Burlack. She lost her mother when she was 16 years old and became surrogate mother to her younger brothers and sisters. Mom and our dad, Emanaoil (Mike) Onofriechuk were married on November 15, 1945, in Shell Valley. Together they raised six children, Walter Onofriechuk (Shell Valley), Irene (Ernie) Schade (Winnipeg), Marie (Ben) Tyschinski (Oak Bluff, MB), Doreen (George) Bain (Winnipeg), Sylvia Onofriechuk (Winnipeg), Angela (Blair) Buick (Roblin, MB). She was Bunica (gramma) to Heather, Michael, Jonathan, Sarah, Joelynn and Kerri-Ann whom she loved and cherished dearly. Moms parents were early pioneers from Bocovina, Romania. All her life she treasured her first language, Romanian, her heritage and tradition, and she passed this on to her children with much love and pride. Mom was predeceased by her husband Mike on December 4, 1973; an infant son John; her parents Vasile and Angelina Burlack; and her brother George; also, father and mother-in-law Isidor and Domnica Onofriechuk; brothers-in-law, Andrew, Nick and John Onofriechuk, John Gorda and John Rudy; sisters-in-law, Alexandra (Sadie) Holunga and Mary Gabor, Florence Onofriechuk. Mom and dad farmed all their lives and with much determination and endurance they overcame their challenges. She always planted a huge garden and had fresh milk and eggs. It gave her great pleasure to give and share of her bountiful harvests, especially to those in need. After fulfilling her accomplishment of raising her children she began a second career. Mom loved to cook and she catered many weddings and special events in Roblin, Inglis, and surrounding communities. She took her tasks seriously with dedication and pride. At her home her door was always open and everyone gathered around her kitchen table. Hospitality came first with mom, and no one could leave without coffee and something to eat. Mom remained on the family farm with her son Walter until she moved to Winnipeg four years ago. There she lived with her daughter Sylvia and more recently moved to the Lions Manor where she resided since February 1, 2002. Mom enjoyed her new home at Lions Manor very much and made many friends with the staff and other residents and especially cherished her friendship with Sadie. Mom was a lifetime member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Shell Valley (Romanian and Ukrainian Parish), and she also was a member of the St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church in Winnipeg. Besides her children and grandchildren she leaves to mourn her brother Nick (Marge) Burlack (Dryden, ON) sisters, Eleanor Gorda (Chilliwack, BC), Mary Rudy (Russell, MB), Doreen (Joe) Bezo (St. Catharines, ON), Anne (Merv) Muir (Russell) one special Aunt Dora Germain (Roblin) also her brothers-in-law, Nestor Holunga (Winnipeg) and Peter (Rita) Onofriechuk (Penticton, BC) sisters-in-law, Lenora Burlack (Surrey, BC), Ella Onofriechuk (Roblin) and Kay (Gil) Arsenault (Belleville, ON) as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Prayers will be at Nairn-Chyz Funeral Chapel, Roblin, Sunday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held Monday, July 1 at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Shell Valley, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Father Victor Malanca and Rev. Father Nicolae Marioncu officiating. Casket bearers will be sons-in-law Ben Tyschinski, Blair Buick, Ernie Schade, George Bain, and her grandsons, Michael Buick, Jonathan Bain. Cross and banner bearers will be Steve Kurchuk, George Chescu, Larry Prokopetz, Bill Savliu, and candle bearer will be Nick Burlack. Memorial donations in memory of Florence may be made to the St. John The Baptist Orthodox Cemetery Fund or the St. Demetrios Romanian Orthodox Church Building Fund, 103 Furby St., Winnipeg, MB, or a charity of your choice. Vesnica Pomenire (Rest In Peace) Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home Entrusted With Arrangements (204) 937-2111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2002