Obituary of Frances Markiw

Frances Markiw (nee Shewchuk) Unexpectedly in the late evening of January 12, 2010 at the Seven Oaks General Hospital, our mom, grandma, and sister Fran passed away at 82 years of age. Mom will be greatly missed by her daughter Val and husband Ken Kowalski, son Butch, sister Chris, and her three loving grandchildren, Dana Kowalski, Lauren and Mikol Markiw, and her dear relatives, friends and neighbours. Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband (Bill), our wonderful dad, grandpa, and brother-in-law on March 21, 1994. Mom and dad are now together once again, as they were meant to be, and will continue to watch over us, especially Dana, Lauren and Mikol. Mom was born on February 5, 1927. As kids, we were always in awe that she was born in a house on a farm in Meleb, Manitoba. Her parents, Alex and Julia Shewchuk moved soon after to the big city, Winnipeg, where their second daughter, Christine, was born. After several years and houses, they finally settled in the north end on Ellen Street to raise their family. Mom attended Victoria Albert, Pinkham, Hugh John Macdonald schools and Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate. Following school, Mom started working at The Hudson's Bay Company (The Bay) and later at the Eaton's Mail Order Building, and finally retiring at Eaton's Garden City in 1990. Mom's father, Gigi, passed away in 1978 and mother, Baba, in 1991. A classic north-end love story began at Kelekis's restaurant in 1946 where mom and dad first met. Following courtship, they were married on June 4, 1949, and then established the family home on Burrows Avenue and the summer cottage at Grand Beach. A daughter and son soon followed. Mom stayed at home to raise us, working harder than working outside the home, and we are forever grateful. The entire summers were spent with her at the lake, roughing it in the beginning without electricity and running water. Dad would drive out after work on Fridays. Ironically, mom never liked the water or to get wet, so splashing her was always fun and dangerous! Mom always enjoyed the marathon Rumoli games at the cottage. Later in life, mom thoroughly enjoyed the frequent trips with dad and her sister to Las Vegas. Mom adored her three grandchildren. She was (and always will be) so proud of them. She cared and protected them as she did with us. She developed special relationships with Dana, and with Lauren and Mikol. Grandma's sense of humour will also be missed but not forgotten, along with those frequent telephone conversations. Mom was a long time member of the Catholic Women's League of St. John's Cantius Church and also a regular parishioner of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. Family life was most important to mom, and the dinner table was the focal point. Mom was the best cook and no one could match her home cooking, especially her holubchis and perogies. Her baking was outstanding! Mom's kitchen was her place and you knew who the boss was; any help was politely turned down. Holiday feasts were her specialty. Mom was the most unselfish person that we knew. The well-being of others always came first! Mom was a natural care giver and we thank her dearly for taking such good care of all of us. We would also like to give a very heartfelt thank you to our Aunt Chris for all her love and support and the care provided to mom, especially in the last few months. We truly are grateful and blessed. A private family service and interment was held to honour mom's wishes. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial donations in mom's memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0K6 Vichnaya Pam'yat (Eternal Memory)