Jean Mary Ukrainec

October 5, 1931 – February 9, 2024

Our dear mother, Jean, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2024. Jean was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario. She moved to Calgary, Alberta in 2014 to be closer to family.

Jean is predeceased by her loving husband Peter Ukrainec, her parents, Anastasia and Dmytro Kitt, brothers Paul Kitt and Peter Kitt, and sadly her son Terry in October 2023.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Darlene (Lorne) and Diane, daughter - in law Jill, grandchildren Colin (Melody), Ken, Alison and Spencer (Laura); great grandchildren Dylan, Cody and Sterling; sister in laws Heather Kitt and Helen Ukrainec as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Mom met Dad in Port Arthur at a church picnic. They were married in 1953 and started their family in 1955. In 1959 they moved to Kenora for Dad’s job. Mom and Dad were very active in the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Literary Society. Mom continued to be active until her move to Calgary.

After high school, Jean completed her secretarial classes and went to work at the Mando Mill office. Our mother worked at Safeway and later the Kenora Rec Center in the concession and ticket sales. She was a busy lady.

Dad and Mom always had a beautiful garden. Mom was a wonderful seamstress and sewed many of our clothes. She was a beautiful embroiderer, knitter and crocheter. We are very lucky to still have some of the sweaters she knit for us. Mom was busy with the church and hall working bingos or cooking. She found time to volunteer with the Kenora lionesses. She loved meeting new people.

Family and friends were extremely important to Jean. She and dad made yearly treks to Saskatchewan, Fort McMurray and Vancouver to visit their kids. Later they spent many wonderful times in Phoenix Arizona and then Penticton in the winters. They were fortunate enough to visit Diane in New Zealand and loved it there.

Mom made so many friends over the years from the Ukrainian church and hall family, Lakeside families, the Lakeview Condominium friends, her special sunshine girls and new friends in Calgary at the Lake Bonavista Retirement Village.

Mom took pleasure in the simple joys of spending time with her loved ones.

Through all that she has been through these past few years, our mom was still able to smile.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 1:00pm at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Father John Mostivsky officiating. Interment will take place at the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at https://fweb.tv/117994

Pallbearers will be Colin Ukrainec, Ken Ukrainec, Alison Ukrainec, Spencer Hilderman, Michael Kitt and Kevin Kitt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jean’s name to: Fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome Foundation of Canada - fragilex.org or The Canadian Cancer Society.

The family would like to thank the staff at Southwood Hospice in Calgary, Alberta for their amazing care and support in mom's final days. Also the staff and many friends at Lake Bonavista Retirement Village where mom resided for almost 10 years.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Ukrainec family.