Obituary of Christine Shewchuk

Christine Mary Shewchuk Peacefully on the morning of March 14, 2011, Christine Mary Shewchuk (Aunt Chris) passed away in her sleep at the Seven Oaks General Hospital. Our Aunt and great Aunt was born in Winnipeg on August 27, 1930 to Alex and Julia Shewchuk, a sister for our mother, Frances Markiw. As many sisters are, Aunt Chris and Mom were extremely close to say the least, and when Mom unexpectantly passed away last year, Aunt Chris's life also changed. Left to cherish her memory are her niece Val Kolwalski (husband Ken) and great niece Dana Kowalski, and her nephew Butch (Bill) Markiw and great niece and nephew, Lauren and Mikol Markiw, along with many relatives, friends, business acquaintances, parishioners, and neighbours. Raised in the North End of Winnipeg, Aunt Chris graduated high school from St. John's Tech and shortly thereafter, started a lifelong career in the advertising industry. One of her proudest career moments was being promoted to the position of Media Director with Wordsnorth Communication Services, Ltd., in Winnipeg, following 26 successful years in media buying. Always young at heart, Aunt Chris retired well before the concept of Freedom 55! Family meant the most to Aunt Chris, and her life was her family. She loved family gatherings, spending summer holidays with family and friends at Grand Beach, card games in the evenings, strolls (and a car ride!) down the Boardwalk, looking for four-leaf clovers, road trips with girlfriends to Grand Forks, and the frequent jaunts to Las Vegas with Mom and Dad. After Dad passed away, Aunt Chris and Mom were inseparable! Remaining single through life, we were the beneficiaries of her lifelong generosity, which naturally continued on to her great nieces and nephew. While we were growing up, Aunt Chris was our fun Aunt! At times she spoiled us and at times she lectured us, but more importantly, she taught us respect and the importance of family. As we grew older, we went from calling her Chrissy to Aunt Chris, much more to her liking. Aunt Chris held special places in her heart for her great nieces and nephew, Dana, Lauren and Mikol, and she developed special relationships with each of them. She was very proud of them. Weekly, if not daily, evening telephone conversations were exchanged with Lauren and Mikol to get caught up in their lives, pass on amusing childhood tales about their Dad, teach Ukrainian phrases, trace through the family tree (especially the branches in the state of Illinois), tell the newest riddles, learn how to use a computer at age 80, and most of all, just to chat. These frequent calls will be missed but forever cherished and remembered. A lady with her own style and grace, always meticulously dressed, Aunt Chris coordinated her outfits and accessorized with right type of jewelry. She had a passion for sports, and could hold her own on most topics, with curling and the Blue Bombers at the top of her must watch list. Family gatherings were often interrupted to watch the big game! Aunt Chris regularly attended St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and participated in many church functions. She developed a close relationship with Father Isidore, and we thank him for his visits to the hospital. We also wish to express our most sincere appreciation to Aunt Chris's loyal friend and dear neighbour, Steve Masynk, for all the unconditional help provided over the many years whenever Aunt Chris asked, and we are forever thankful for his kindness. To honour Aunt Chris's wish, a private service was held with interment in the family plot at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. Flowers are respectively declined, but donations in her memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0K6, or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave, Room ON1160, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9. Vichnaya Pamyat (Eternal Memory)