Obituary of ANNE NYKORCHUK

ANNE NYKORCHUK

May 17, 1925 – April 2, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anne Nykorchuk on April 2nd, just weeks before her 100th birthday. 

She was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Barbara Kuzenko; brother William (Jean) Kuzenko; sisters Nellie and Lena (Andrew) Skolny.  She leaves to mourn her daughters: Jane Ricketts, Barbara (Lorne) Wolfe, Susan Nye, Catherine (Douglas) Peterson as well as her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. 

Anne was born at a tiny railroad station in the now defunct Orthez, Manitoba and spent her childhood and early schooldays in Boissevain, Manitoba.  When her father received a “promotion” to CPR Station Manager, they moved to the small Ukrainian speaking town of Komarno, 60 miles north of Winnipeg.  Anne became motivated to learn to speak Ukrainian when, at the age of 12, she met, Stephan, the youngest son of Councillor John Nykorchuk, local land/business owner,  Provincial Reeve for the rural municipality of Rockwood and whose family were pioneers in the area since 1899. Both  Anne and Steve attended Teulon Collegiate and remained friends throughout their teen years. They were married in 1945 when Steve returned from serving in the Royal Canadian Navy post World War II.   They had two daughters and were living in Winnipeg where Steve was employed by the Federal Government, but Anne returned to Komarno to nurse her mother when she became ill.  After the passing of both of her parents, they returned to Winnipeg permanently and two more daughters arrived.  They purchased a home at the west end of Magnus Avenue where the backyard was prairie as far as the eye could see and where  Anne lived for over 66 years.  A Queen in the land of good cooks, Anne treated her family to many delicious meals including typical Ukrainian dishes and all looked forward to her traditional Christmas and Easter celebratory dinners.  Once her children were older, Anne enjoyed working for the Hudson’s Bay Company and ended her working years at the Hudson’s Bay House executive offices at The Forks. 

Anne lived in a time where few women in her position had many options outside the home, but she used her creativity in many ways whether in cooking or knitting or painting and she taught ceramics in the community for years.  Anne was very generous to her family, friends, and to all the people in her neighbourhood giving clothing and food to those less fortunate. 

Anne and Steve had a loving and happy life together with much laughter.  Though Steve did have health issues during their marriage they persevered during difficult times. There were lots of picnics, baseball games, visits with family at the farm, nights at the casinos, many social events and the years flew by.   

After 65 years of marriage, Steve passed away in 2005 after an illness. Though greatly saddened, Anne continued on with her life daily doing Sudoku, playing double solitaire, going to the casino and being very independent until a fall necessitated hospitalization and an eventual move to the Holy Family Home. 

The family of Anne would like to thank the staff at the Holy Family Home for their care and humour where she had gumption (according to her) until the end. 

There will be a celebration of Anne’s life on Thursday, April 17 at 12:30 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. A private family graveside will be held in May to lay Anne to rest in Komarno, MB. at Holy Trinity Cemetery, located on land donated by her father in law in 1906. 

To view the service via Livestream, please follow this link: Annie Nykorchuk Service Livestream