Obituary of ANNE KOWALYK

ANNE KOWALYK (NEE PAROZNICK) In the early morning of February 21, 2014, our beloved Mom and Grandma passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord. Anne was predeceased by her beloved daughter Barbara (1962) and husband Harry (1988). She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Jo-Anne, son-in-law Buster, grandchildren Lana, Ryan (Kaitlin) and Kevin (Jodie) and great-granddaughter Cali. Anne was born on November 23, 1922 in Rossdale, Manitoba to Justine and Michael Paroznick, the youngest sister of Mary, John and Jenny. She attended Rossdale School and often talked about her wonderful childhood, growing up on the farm, surrounded by the love of the large Poworoznick family, and her many friends in the close-knit community. Although she moved to Winnipeg as a young adult, she maintained many life-long friendships from her first home and continued to feel a strong connection to her roots in Rossdale. Upon her arrival in Winnipeg, Anne worked as a housekeeper for a short time and then as a “soda-jerk” at Empire Drug Store on Selkirk Avenue, where she acquired her life-long love of ice-cream. In 1945, she married the love of her life, Harry Kowalyk, and together they were blessed with two daughters. Anne devoted her life to her children and was devastated by the tragic loss of their precious daughter Barbara in 1962. Her strong faith and dedication to her family gave her the strength to carry on and be the best Mom and Grandma ever. Over the years, Anne worked at the Misericordia Hospital Canteen, Eaton’s and Sears, where she made use of her skills as a seamstress to sew custom made drapes. Anne’s faith was a very important part of her life. She was a founding member of St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and became a lifetime member of the women’s auxiliary. Anne’s greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren and she always put them first in her life. She was a major part of their lives as they were growing up and always made them feel special, cherished and adored. She could always be counted on to sing them to sleep, give lots of hugs and kisses, and be a constant and unwavering source of love. Although Alzheimer’s disease created difficulties for her in the last years of her life, Anne never lost her gentle, loving disposition or her amazing spirit and zest for life. She will be missed by all those who remember her sweet, caring nature, her ever-ready smile and her sparkling blue eyes. Her family wishes to thank the incredible staff at Misericordia Place for the compassionate care that was provided to our Mom and Grandma during her stay there. Prayers will be said on Monday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, 4535 Main Street. Once upon a time an angel held my hand, She wiped away my tears and helped me understand. Her love was unconditional, always by our side, When no one else would listen, in her we could confide. She saw the light in everyone and gave with no regrets, Always from her heart let us not forget. Angels come in many forms, for me it is my mother, With love I cannot say in words there'll never be another. VICHNAYA PAM’YAT