She was predeceased by the love of her life Walter Bargenda, and infant daughter; Sisters Kay Puirko, Mary Firman, Rose Steer, Marge Ferman, Anne Ivanyshyn and infant Sophie, Brothers John, George, Nick, Alex and Mike Laba.
Jean is survived by her children Leslie Bargenda and Wife Carol; daughter Christine Senkow and Husband Dave. Grandchildren Dave Jr, Sheryl, Don, Kevin, Shawn, Jenny and Kenny; great grandchildren Braiden, Cameron, Brooklyn, Lucas, Rylan and Kristian. Numerous nieces and nephews throughout Canada and the US.
Mom was born July 23, 1927, and raised in Medika Manitoba, the 11th of 12 children. She started work after grade 7. At the age of 14 she began working first on the fields picking cucumbers for 4 dollars a day, then began a long career working in the sewing factory beginning at Royal Garments. In these days she fell in love with Walter Bargenda and they spent 53 loving years together. She continued her working career at Schackters and Peerless Garments. When her children were young she worked from home, until Dad lost his finger in an industrial accident. She then went to work again in the factory. She worked sewing leather jackets and army fatigues, and was quickly promoted to Floor Lady. She taught many people how to sew, and was so very good at it. Mom worked all of her life, but always thought of her family first. We have been blessed by her fabulous cooking skills. She would work all day, come home and make yeast doughnuts, frying them well into the earlier hours just so we would have fresh doughnuts for breakfast. She would then get up at 6 in the morning and go off to work. Mom was the youngest in the family and spent many years looking after her mother. She would walk 5 blocks to her Mother’s and make sure she had breakfast, and then she would go to work. After the work day she would make a lovely supper which could be perogies, stew or deer. Then she would go back to her Mother’s to bring her supper. Mom worked hard, but her and Dad enjoyed their time together at the race track or off in the woods to pick berries or mushrooms. Mom was the original fashionista. She and Dad always looked sharp whatever they were doing. Mom made all of her clothes, and her daughter Christine was often dressed in matching outfits. Mom always tried to help those in need. When her Mother passed, she would bring food to her Mother’s elderly neighbor, and then did the same for her sister Rose in her later years. She helped neighbors translating Ukrainian, Russian or Polish and also brought them her delicious cooking. Mom took great pride in her family and their accomplishment’s, and always tried to encourage us to work hard and enjoy life.
“Do not cry. I and Dad loved and understood each other and never argued. And I missed him so much, that I am glad to go to him. We will meet by the Golden Gate.”
Our family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff of Bethania Personal Care home, Deer Lodge 3-West and Father Alan Wizinsky for attending to Mother’s spiritual needs so quickly.
Memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday March 9th, 2016 at Green Acres Funeral Home, Highway 1 East at Navin Road. A private family interment will follow at a later date at Birch River Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Grandsons Dave Jr., Don, Shawn, Ken Senkow and Kevin Bargenda.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Society.
Vichnaya Pamyat
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