ANTONINA KOWALEWICH -

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ANTONINA KOWALEWICH 1908 - 2005 Peacefully on April 10, 2005 Antonina (Tonia) Kowalewich passed away at Fred Douglas Lodge. Tonia was born on August 11, 1908 in Kyzhelichyn, Byelorussia. She and her husband Julian immigrated to Canada in 1930. They homesteaded in Gilbert Plains until 1936 when they moved to Winnipeg. While raising her children, Tonia was actively involved in the local Russian community. She was a member of the Federation of Russian Canadians and played an active role in the affairs of the organization. She especially loved singing in the choir. Tonia had a keen interest in politics. She was proud to support many causes through fundraising, participating in demonstrations and volunteering on election campaigns. Tonia was compassionate, deeply committed to social justice issues and an honest and hardworking member of our community. Baba Tonia , as she was affectionately known, enjoyed her home at 566 Mountain and especially working in her garden. She loved her walks to St. Johns Park, walking there and back and in later years riding the bus one way. She was not shy and often had stories to tell about people she had encountered along the way. At the age of 65, Tonia decided to learn to swim and spent many enjoyable years at the North Y. Around this time Tonia also caught the travel bug and regularly visited her children in Vancouver and Toronto. In her later years she ventured overseas and her trips to the former Soviet Union and Cuba were particularly memorable. Baba Tonia was always interested and involved in the cultural activities of her family. All concerts and recitals were attended. Her home was a hub of activity when costumes were sewn for the Trembita School of Folk Dancing. And again, 566 was the scene of post concert activity when family and friends gathered to review the afternoon's performance. The corner stone of Tonia's life was her family. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will fondly remember Saturday lunches at 566. We all faithfully attended and enjoyed her specialties, Chop Suey , holopchi, and on very special occasions dozens of potato pancakes. Mama lived life to the fullest. Tonia was a devoted and loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her daughters Helen Chackowsky, Eda Dowhoploluk, Zoya Coodin (Arnie), Sonia Kowalewich (Richard Kennett) and her sons Sonny (Joan) and Victor (Eleanor). She is also survived by her grandchildren Nick Chackowsky (Janine); Len Chackowsky; Pete Chackowsky (Pat) and their children Rylan, Nicole, Taylor and Cameron; Bryan, Michael and Elena Kowalewich; Francine Andrieshyn (Mike); Tasha Fedyk (Rik) and their daughter Holly; Val Kowalewich (Shelly); Paul and Jason Kennett; Leo and Susan Coodin. Tonia was predeceased by her husband Julian in 1952, her son Orest in 1986, her son-in-law Ray Dowhopoluk in 1997 and her son-in-law Eugene Chackowsky in 2002. A private service will be held. Friends are invited to meet with family and reminisce about this most wonderful woman at the home of Sonia and Richard on Saturday, April 16 between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Ann Ross Day Nursery at Mount Carmel Clinic, Fred Douglas Lodge or the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff at Fred Douglas Lodge, especially the staff on Spruce Unit, for the kindness and compassion they have shown to our mother and the family over the past 10 years. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2005