OLIVE MARIE HARRISON (PENYK) -

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OLIVE MARIE HARRISON (nee PENYK) 1912 - 2005 On January 17, 2005, after several bouts of pneumonia, and with many of her loved ones around her, our precious Mother was gently and willingly taken into the arms of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. For 92 years, she fought the good fight to the end, ran the race to the finish, and kept the faith. Mom was born in the Ukraine in the small village of Nasveska (underneath the sky) in the province of Horodenka (little garden). She came to Canada when she was nine months old with her mother, after her father had secured a job and a home for them. Their life was farming, growing and selling vegetables at market. However their hard work still left them poor. Five more children were born to the family and with Mom being the oldest, after completing grade 8, she had to find work to help support the family. Her first job was at Rumford Laundry and then at the Eaton's Store, Furniture Dept. Each day she made the 1 mile trek, mostly on a gravel road, from their home on Panet Road to get the Dunn's bus at Talbot and Panet. Later on, she was hired as a maid in a large home in the city. The owners became so fond of Mom she was offered board and room with them. It was in this home Mom met our father, Robert. They were married in 1935 and bought a small bungalow in Norwood on Hillcrest Avenue. In November, 1944, Dad was killed when his plane was shot down over Germany and Mom was left with two young children to raise and a house to manage. Mom did it all; shovelled coal and snow, cut grass, split wood, took out buckets of furnace ashes, cooked, cleaned, baked and shopped, managing all this on a small DVA pension and assistance from her working sisters. However, she always had time to spend with us. As her children got older, Mom got involved volunteering at our church, Holy Cross, i.e. bazaars, bake and craft sales and she joined the church choir and bowling league. Moreover, every Saturday most of the day was spent with her friend, Agnes Mulvey, washing the church floors on hands and knees and polishing the pews with lemon oil. She was also an active member of the CWL, working as local and then provincial secretary. Lastly, she was an active member of The Third Order of St. Francis. Mom loved music and also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, baking and cooking. Mom's favourite pastime was gardening, both outside and in. Her plants were always blooming and or shining, and in summer, she dug a small garden and planted every vegetable that would fit. Around the house and in the flower boxes, a profusion of colour made our yard come alive. Her pet flowers were petunias and nicotianas. However any plant or seed was welcomed and nurtured like the rest. Mom's heart was always bigger than her 5'2 frame, because she always put others before herself. She was one of a kind, a golden treasure, our precious beloved Mother. Approximately 15 years ago, Mom lost her short-term memory and could no longer live alone. She wished to be with people her own age at Middlechurch Home, where she had been attending their day program. She loved it there and made a few close friends and she eagerly took part in all the available activities offered to the residents. She won several certificates for participating in carpet bowling. Mom was predeceased by her husband, Robert William (Second World War, when they were both only 31); her parents, George and Agatha Penyk; her sister Anne Palady; and her brothers, Bill and John. Mom devoted her whole life to the care and love of her two daughters, June (Jim) McMillan and Carolyn (Bob) Tharnovitch, and a part of their hearts was taken with her. Her sisters, Helen (Robert) Hodgson and Nettie Dratwa will miss her generous kindness and love for them and their families. Her five grandchildren, Eileen, Gordon, David, Sheri and Sue; five great-grandchildren, Amanda, Steven, Samson, Zak and Amber; four nephews, Douglas, Brad, Rob and Mark; four nieces, Linda, Donna, Cathy and Lisa and their children, will always know a very special lady is no longer with them, but they will always remember her loving smile. The Mass celebrating Mom's life will be concelebrated by Fr. Fred Olds, pastor, and Fr. Ray Baudry, a dear friend of the family. The Mass will be held at St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Rd. in Windsor Park on Thursday, January 20 at 11:00 a.m. with viewing before mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Transcona Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gordon McMillan, David McMillan, Mark Dratwa, Brian Ward, Keith Yallits and Derek Romaniuk. Honourary Pallbearers are Jim McMillan and Bob Tharnovitch. Our mother loved flowers, so if you wish to send some to the church, please do so. If you prefer to donate to your favourite charity in Mom's honour, the family will be grateful for your generosity. The family would like to thank the exceptionally dedicated, caring and compassionate staff and nurses on N2S2 at Middlechurch Home as well as other caring staff who knew Mom so well during her 13 years there. We also are so grateful for the excellent care given to Mom during her three stays in Seven Oaks Hospital by the nurses, doctors and aides on the third and fifth floors. Your kindness and attentiveness did not go unnoticed. Special thanks to Doctors Bhanot, Wilson and L. Cheung.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2005