JESSIE RATKOWSKI

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JESSIE RATKOWSKI March 5, 1914 - May 8, 2005 It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of our dear loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Jessie Ratkowski, who passed away on May 8, 2005 at Betel Home in Selkirk, MB, after a brief illness. Jessie is survived by her son Mike (Billie) of Clandeboye; daughters, Rose (Ron) Martinuk of Fort Frances, ON and Irene (Stan) Baliant of Ponoka, AB; brothers, Mike (Helen) Shynkarchuk of Calgary, AB, Frank Shynkarchuk of Gimli and brother-in-law Paul Wasyliw of Fraserwood. She is also survived by six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Jessie was predeceased by her parents Nick and Lena Shynkarchuk in 1964 and 1959; husband Harry in 1958; brother Cpl. Peter Shynkarchuk, killed in action in Italy in 1944 during the Second World War; sister Elsie Wasyliw in 1991 and sister-in-law Annie Shynkarchuk in 1990. Mom and Dad farmed and raised their family in Meleb, MB. Here she worked the farm along side Dad as well as attending to her gardening and household chores. Following Dad's passing in 1958 she then moved herself and Irene to Winnipeg. While in Winnipeg, she worked as a cook at numerous hotels throughout the city. Upon retiring Mom was then able to work on the things that she enjoyed most, which were growing all kinds of plants in her apartment, crocheting afghans, floor mats, curtains, table runners, cushions and pot holders. If she ran out of projects she would unravel a piece that she had already made and use that wool to make something else. She was a very thrifty lady because of growing up in the Depression years. The Social event of her life was the time that she spent playing Bingo. There she made many new friends and looked forward to her afternoons and evenings out with them. Mom loved to have a good time and she loved to laugh. Prayers will be said at Gilbart's Funeral Home, 309 Eveline St., Selkirk, MB, Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral mass will then be held on Thursday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Meleb with Fr. Peter Chorney officiating. Interment to follow in the Meleb Cemetery. Her pallbearers will be Peter Martinuk, John and Peter Wasyliw, Tom Fone, Lloyd Norman and Tony Baliant. Honorary pallbearers will be Perry Shynkarchuk and Ben Graboweski. The family wishes to thank all the staff at Betel Nursing Home in Selkirk for all the love and kindness that was given to Mom during her three and a half year stay there, especially for the last two weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jessie can be made to The Betel Home Foundation, 212 Manchester Ave., Selkirk, MB R1A 0B6 or to a charity of your choice. Gilbart's Funeral Home, Selkirk, MB in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2005