After being blessed with a wonderful, happy life filled with laughter and so much love, our Mom passed away on Thursday, September 5th. She had joyfully celebrated her 100th birthday on February 25, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. Although our hearts are broken we are comforted knowing that she has now reunited with the love of her life, our dear Dad, George. They shared sixty-nine years of magical, beautiful and unwavering love.
She adored her family, friends and loved her church. She read her tattered old bible almost every day of her life and practised what she learned- always caring for those in need. Visiting the elderly and lonely was a priority. Her happy kitchen was a source of joy and a staggering quantity of the "Ukrainian staff of life"- cabbage rolls and perogies always appeared for those who came to her door.
In Mom's world beauty could be found everywhere…on her knees in her lovely garden, fishing, partridge hunting, digging out every single dandelion on her lawn and always cooking, playing cards and laughing with dear friends and family.
Mom's sweet smile and wonderful sense of humour will be sadly missed by her children, sons Lawrence, Jim (Fran) and daughter Irene(Paul)MacKenzie, daughter-in-law Barb Gushulak as well as her grandchildren, Lisa Gushulak, Cheryl (Mike)Behan, Heather Gushulak, Allyson, Brianne and Austin MacKenzie, Penny (Chris) Crawford, Kristin Gushulak. Great grandchildren-Nathan Baird (Kate), Jacob and Kennadi Herbert (Tyce) as well as Taylor, Ashlyn, Morgan and Madison Crawford and great-great granddaughter, Sloan Baird.
Mom was predeceased by her darling husband, her brother William Odokeychuk, loving daughter-in-law Ilona, dear grandson Paul Gushulak and her precious son Randy.
We thank the lovely women who gave Mom such tender home care and made it possible for her to live in her home just a little longer as well as the caring neighbours who kept a watchful eye.
Our family is grateful to the wonderful care she received from Dr. Nugent and the caring staff while she was in hospital. Brittany, I will never forget the warm blankets you brought so I could cuddle my mom and stay just a little longer after visiting hours. A sincere thank you to the angels who work so tirelessly in Rainycrest to make the people who live there and their loved ones feel special and valued.
To my dear brother Lawrence who cut the grass, ploughed the snow and loved with all of his heart...you made it possible for Mom to stay contentedly in her home where she felt Dad's love so near.
Mom is no longer confined by her physical pain and has finally emerged from the isolating and confusing world that dementia forced her to live in for such a long time.
Mom, you were the shining light that made our house a beautiful home. God has you in His arms. We have you in our hearts.
Today in memory of our Mom please really look at someone you care about.
Hug them and tell them how much they are loved. She was so good at doing that!
Please follow this link to view a video tribute created by the Gushulak family:
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