Joyce Marilyn Melenchenko

Joyce Prokulevich came into this world on April 21, 1944 and passed away peacefully with her family at her side on January 27, 2018 at the age of 73. She was born in Kenora, Ontario. On September 26, 1964 she married the love her life Morris Melenchenko. They have many fabulous memories throughout their life together. They are united again.

Joyce’s legacy lives on. Her children were important to Joyce. Her mission was to serve … Her role modeling and lessons taught her surviving daughters, Cindy and Brenda (Leigh) well. Joyce was a strong, brave woman – and always did what needed to be done. She never stopped learning, adventuring and trying new things. Her granddaughters (Mya and Natasha) will benefit from the intergenerational healing and the people that came before. Joyce had integrity and a strong faith. She was honest and courageous. Her life lead by example lives on.

Joyce was a hard worker. She started out at the Daily Miner and News and eventually worked at the Ministry of Transportation and retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

What gave Joyce joy was church. Her community was the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League. She was president for many years, she especially loved making perogies and cabbage rolls, fundraising and leadership. As a practicing Catholic, she was strong in her faith and lived her values with integrity. Prayer gave her comfort. Joyce was loved and well respected in her community.

What gave Joyce joy was curling. She enjoyed the activity and the fellowship that came from the luncheons after.

What gave Joyce joy was dancing – square-dancing, Ukrainian dancing – performing in the Veselka Ukrainian Dancers with her whole family, dancing in the kitchen, dancing at any social gathering that supported her community – weddings, Malanka, and house parties.

What gave Joyce joy was being an artist – In general, her attention to detail made beautiful creations. Specifically, painting Ukrainian Easter eggs, creating projects with Artex, cooking, baking with love, her cursive writing, macramé, knitting, paper toll, crochet and she was a skilled sewer.

What gave Joyce joy was her alone time.

What gave Joyce joy was the outdoors – fishing – she was a master at filleting of all the pickerel Morris and her caught, picking blueberries, wild strawberries, pidpenky – she was a pickaholic, gardening – her outdoor flowers were gorgeous.

What gave Joyce joy was watching her “stories” – Days of Our Lives, Young & the Restless, Dancing with the Stars, Dallas, The Voice, Canadian Idol, American Idol … just to name a few.

What gave Joyce joy was ice cream and the occasional red wine and nibbling on her own homemade chocolates. She made the best popcorn.

Joyce got sooo much joy from Christmas – decorating and cooking the feast …

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Elsie and Paul Prokulevich, and is survived by her sisters Judy (Ron) Penner and Betty (Larry) Tyers. Many people who called her a friend and an aunty will remember her and miss her. There are too many people to mention – you all know who you are.

Continue to share the Joyce stories and remember the moments that you shared with her. It is through the telling of stories that the celebration of life lasts.

We would like to express our deep heartfelt thank you to Birchwood and Lake of the Woods District Hospital and the Admin, the nurses, doctors, support workers, PSW’s, nurse practitioners - especially Mike Limerick for the loving care administered to Joyce on her journey to the spirit world here and beyond.

Open casket prayers will be held on at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 7:00 pm.

Celebration of Life mass will be held at the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:00am. A reception to follow immediately after at the church.

Joyce was living with Lewy Body Dementia. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society Kenora/Rainy River District http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/krr/Get-involved/Donate or a charity of your choice.

Vichnaya Pamyat

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.