Obituary of ANN LISOWICK

ANN LISOWICK (NEE) FEDORICK April 25, 1918 - October 12, 2020 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ann Lisowick on October 12, 2020, Thanksgiving Day. The morning was crisp; leaves were falling, the sun was shining and the sky a beautiful bright blue. Mom wasn't alone; Father Isidore Dziadyk was blessing her on one side and I (Lavana) was holding her hand on her other side. We are very thankful for her long life of 102 years. Ann was born and raised along with her two sisters on her parents homestead in Inwood, northwest of Winnipeg, MB. As a young woman she travelled to Winnipeg and worked there for a short time until her marriage in October, 1939 after which they moved to begin farming in Okno, just north of Arborg, MB. In 1958 the family moved to Winnipeg; first living on Flora Avenue for a year, then Alexander Avenue for eight years and finally on Inkster Blvd for fifty years where mother remained until she was ninety-nine years old. Mom was a hard worker. When she was on the homestead growing up she always helped her parents with the farm work. She was strong and was often doing 'a man's work'. On our mixed farm in Okno, with animals, crops and a big garden mom worked really hard for 19 years; a two room house, no indoor plumbing, only a wood stove. She was very often alone on that farm with three small girls as our father would frequently be away working in Winnipeg or elsewhere. Ann was a tough woman. On one occasion she put out a chimney pipe fire, outside, in winter while her three girls were in the house. When Ann and family moved into Winnipeg she immediately went to work. She worked in various sewing factories for twenty years. When she felt she deserved a raise she asked for it, if she didn't receive it, she quit and got another better paying job. Mother loved to garden growing food in the backyard and beautiful flowers all around her house. Early on she was also planting flowers around the small trees on the boulevard in front of her home until fast moving bicycles made it pointless. For a time she had large white planters filled with flowers on her front steps. They were so beautiful they would go missing in the night! Ann especially loved salmon coloured geraniums. In the house mom had many house plants as well as a large healthy fern in the front window. There were also numerous vases full of 'fake' flowers wherever she found room to put them. She was quite the flower arranger with an eye for colour and composition. The house on Inkster Blvd had a large rec-room in the basement with a full bar where lively parties were held. Mom loved Ukrainian music and to dance, sing and laugh at a good joke. She was a really good cook and made a fabulous lemon meringue pie, the best perogies and cabbage rolls plus great Christmas and Easter dinners. Ann loved to read magazines, books in English and Ukrainian and the newspaper every day, especially the comics. She liked to be informed. Now and then she enjoyed going to the casino in Winnipeg plus the occasional trip south to North Dakota to try her luck. She often won 'a little here and there'. For a number of years Ann attended a Senior Day Program at Fred Douglas Lodge. She went twice a week participating in bingo, exercise, various games, having lunch and going on frequent group outings. She really enjoyed 'being with the people'. Mother also had the good fortune to be able to frequently visit with her older sister Maggie, who was a resident of the Lodge, a short walk down the hall. Mom did a little travelling; on her own and with others. She went to New York, North and South Dakota as well as most of Canada's provinces. Ann really cared about how she looked. She dressed impeccably; with matching shoes and purse as well as matching hat, gloves and scarf. Her hair always looked great! It was important to her to always look 'presentable'. Mom walked with her head held high, her back straight and with purpose. She lived her life the best way she knew how. Mother had a large extended family, friends she socialized with, volunteered and attended St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic church with. Ann joined the Ukrainian Catholic Woman's League of Canada in 1980 and remained a paying member until 2016. Ann was married to Steve Lisowick, (deceased, 1914-1978). She had four daughters, Diana Lisowick, (deceased, 1940-1941), Sylvia Glanfield, Phyllis Fairfax and Lavana Ashlie; two grandchildren, Anita Deffner and Allen Deffner; three great-grandchildren, Mahil Gopal, Ravi Gopal and William Deffner. Her parents were John Fedorick, (deceased, 1893-1963) and Melania (Molly) (nee Ostapiw) (deceased, 1892-1990); her two sisters were Maggie Andrushko, (deceased, 1917-2019) and Mary Kowalchuk, who currently resides in Winnipeg. Our Mother's funeral service was held on Monday, October 19, 2020 in Cropo Funeral Chapel, Winnipeg MB. She was interred at Holy Family Cemetery, north of Winnipeg. Due to restrictions only five people were allowed to attend mom's funeral service and be at her graveside to say farewell. Father Isidore Dziadyk, OSBM officiated at mother's funeral service and graveside prayers as he did at our father's funeral, forty-two years ago. Mom rests beside our father Steve, in section L6. Ann was a very strong, independent woman. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile.