Obituary of PAULINE KULACHOK

PAULINE KULACHOK (1921 -2014) After a life well lived, Pauline passed away on April 4, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Residence at the age of 92. She lived her life with equal parts strength, determination, patience and passion overcoming many challenges along the way. She is sadly missed by daughters Joy and Joanne; her sisters-in-law Claudia, Irene and Anne; numerous nieces and nephews as well as Pauline Kulachok and her sons Frederick and Timothy, her extended family in Elma, MB. She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas in 2000, parents William and Katerina, her brother Paul and her mother and father in-law Mary and Peter. Family was very important to her. As a child of Ukrainian immigrants from Western Ukraine, her parents settled in Fort William, Ontario, where Pauline was born on October 27, 1921. While she grew up in a household short of monetary possessions, she enjoyed many adventures on the family property in what was rural West Kildonan. She grew up as an only child, having lost her brother when she was 4 years of age. A major influence in her life was her father. He was a staunch supporter of education and insisted that she complete the highest grade in public school. When it came time for her to go to work, he supported her decision to try a variety of careers. She took advantage of a government program to train as a maid. She learned to cook what she considered to be exotic dishes an interest which she carried throughout her life. Upon her graduation, she was placed in a wealthy physician’s home, where she became extremely homesick. Upon her father hearing this, he supported her decision to quit, return home and look for alternate employment. One of her friends worked in a sewing factory and suggested she give that a try. She did and became a very proficient seamstress. Upon discovering that she could make money as a secretary, her father once again supported her decision to attend business college. At last she found a job she enjoyed working for Dominion Motors. Of course she was now at an age when attending dances was popular. While attending one of the dances, she met her husband Nick. They married in 1947 and moved in with her parents to save money to buy their first home on Rupertsland. It was there that they began their family. First came a daughter Kathleen Joy, followed two years later by another daughter Joanne. The family was outgrowing the house on Rupertsland. It was in 1961 that they moved to the home they built in Garden City. Pauline stayed at home raising her daughters while her husband worked to support the young family. When Joanne entered second grade, Pauline decided that it was time for her to return to the workforce. At age 40, she began work at Library Service Center. She transitioned to Norquay School as school secretary, a position she remained in until her reluctant retirement. She worked with a wide variety of principals and teachers over her 25 year career. She even had the unique experience of having her daughter Joy as a staff member for a short time. She enjoyed the camaraderie of both the parents and students, often being invited into homes in the community. During her time at Norquay School she was also known for being the best dressed secretary in the Winnipeg School Division. She wanted the best for her daughters. Like her father, her central focus was education in all its forms. University education was the goal for both Joy and Joanne. Joy became a teacher and Joanne became a civil engineer. She opened the door to a life outside Winnipeg at a young age for her children. In 1967, she took Joanne and Joy to Disneyland. Next were Hawaii, Los Angeles and Mexico. All of these adventures broadened their life experiences and became special mother-daughter bonding times. Her life’s pleasures where many and varied including travel, sewing, cake decorating and cottage living. She was never too busy to put up a hem on the clothes her daughter sewed or create entire outfits from scratch. At the cottage at Grand Beach, she and Nick enjoyed their summers. The cottage was a respite from the city and a place where they would entertain their many friends and indulged their passion for gardening. Pets played a major role in her life. During her childhood she made pets of the rabbits in the rabbit hutch, and had a cat that was her pride and joy. Each day when returning back from school, her cat would come running to Leila Avenue greet her, a distance of 800 feet. Later on she and Nick took in strays that showed up on their doorstep. From Katia to Big Red, they all held a special place in her heart. In return for their companionship and comfort, they were equally spoiled and loved. During the course of her life, Pauline enjoyed the camaraderie of a select group of friends. Agnes Worster, Anne Kulik to Kay Treytiak and several others, they all enriched her life and shared their mutual experiences. She was also fortuitous enough to count her daughters Joy and Joanne as her close friends. The family would like to thank both Dr. Andrea Babick and the staff at St. Joseph’s Residence for their compassionate care during her stay. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 9 at 1:00 p.m. also at the Chapel. Interment to follow in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pauline’s memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society.