Obituary of MYRNA LAURIE ZEATON (nee MALENCHAK)

It is with profound sadness that Jonathon, Gregory, Justin, Kira and I are sharing the news that their beloved mom, and my dear wife of 28+ years, Myrna Zeaton passed away on December 6, 2024 after her courageous fight against cancer.

 

Myrna was born on April 27, 1965 in the town she loved her entire life, Fisher Branch, Manitoba. She was the youngest of six children born to Joe and Jean Malenchak, who have both predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her father-in law Frank Zeaton and mother-in-law Nellie Zeaton.

 

Myrna and I have been blessed with four wonderful children Jonathon (and his fiancée Tynessa Larkins), Gregory (and his girlfriend Jayden Huggan), Justin and Kira, who are all saddened beyond words at the passing of their beautiful mother far too soon. 

 

Our two “Four-legged” family members, our Pugs Toby and Ellie, who never failed to make Myrna smile and who both smothered her with “Puppy Love” daily, will miss Myrna too.

 

To all four of our children, always remember that Myrna, or simply “Mom“, will always be your most fierce defender and the greatest cheerleader of all that the four of you plan to achieve in your lives. Your Mom’s love for all of you has no end.

 

Myrna also leaves behind to mourn her passing her sisters Joann Daciw, Eileen (and her husband Grant) Hamrlik and Kathy (and her husband Jim) Perchalski, as well as her brothers, Joe (and his wife Mona) Malenchak, Keith (and his wife Claudette) Malenchak, brother-in law Howard Zeaton, brother-in-law Guy Zeaton (and his wife Brenda Holyk) and many treasured, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews in addition to many other family and friends.

 

While Myrna left her hometown of Fisher Branch after high school to further her studies and ultimately pursue a career as a Legal Secretary, her love of Fisher Branch remained deep in her heart. Myrna enjoyed every opportunity to return home to see family and friends and reminisce about growing up in Fisher Branch.

 

During Myrna’s studies in Winnipeg, she accepted an employment opportunity from Mr. Richard and Mrs. Kathryn Bracken who became very dear friends to Myrna and then, after our marriage, to me and our children as well. Myrna absolutely loved helping Richard and Kathryn in looking after their young sons Taylor, David, Geoffrey and John. She felt like a “Big Sister” to these wonderful young men during her time with the Brackens. Myrna, I and all our children have many cherished memories of times spent with the Bracken family over the years.

 

Myrna’s early career as a Legal Secretary saw her employed at several law firms in Winnipeg and she eventually found herself at the Fillmore Riley law firm where she made so many lifelong friendships, among those dear friendships are two people with whom Myrna developed an extra special bond. The first being Ms. Judi McQueen, who was also our Matron of Honour at our wedding. Myrna also had the good fortune to be Mr. Norm Yusim’s Legal Secretary. Myrna loved working with Norm over her years at Fillmore Riley… by the way Norm, my apologies for “stealing Myrna” away from your office as Myrna and I began our lives together at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK.

 

Myrna and I were introduced to each other by our good friends James and Sheila Cove at Sheila’s 30th Birthday party in 1995. Sheila is a close childhood friend of Myrna from Fisher Branch and James is a close friend of mine since our days at Jefferson Junior High School in Winnipeg. The “Stars aligned” for Myrna and me as the saying goes from that moment on. We were engaged later that same year and we were married on October 26, 1996.

 

Very shortly after our wedding day, we packed up Myrna’s furniture etc and she moved “Across the Prairies” to be with me at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK for our first military posting together. Myrna excitedly began her new life as the lovely newlywed bride of this very fortunate Canadian Armed Forces Air Traffic Control Officer. On “Day One” in our new home we met our next-door neighbours, Yvonne and Bernie Godin and their children Helene and Mathieu, who remain very special life long friends with all of us. Yvonne took Myrna “Under her Wing” like a big sister to guide her through the various challenging experiences of becoming a new wife of a CAF member. After our time at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, postings followed to Winnipeg, Cavalier, ND, Colorado Springs, CO, Cornwall, ON and then our return home to the Winnipeg area. Myrna, and indeed all of our family, have been so blessed to have made so many wonderful friends and enjoyed so many wonderful times together everywhere we have been over the years. Saying “Thank you” to all of you does not begin to express how much it meant to Myrna, and all of us, to have shared so many wonderful experiences together with all of you throughout the years.

 

Beginning at Moose Jaw, Myrna began her most beloved “Lifetime role”, that of being Jonathon’s, Gregory’s, Justin’s and Kira’s “Mom”. Our four children will forever remain the centre of Myrna’s life. However, a few years ago, with our children becoming teenagers and young adults, Myrna decided to return to the work force, eventually becoming a Legal Secretary / Legal Assistant at DFS Kaneski UnRuh LLP. Our thanks to everyone there, especially Mr. David Sellen with whom she very much enjoyed working and Ms. Tracy Knowles for all her support to Myrna as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, especially during the challenges Myrna faced in her fight with cancer.

 

Myrna’s funeral service / “Celebration of Myrna’s life” will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Cropo Funeral Chapel at 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB.

 

Myrna’s “Active Pallbearers” are our four children Jonathon, Gregory, Justin, Kira, and Myrna’s nephews Kevin Daciw and Jarrod Malenchak.

 

Myrna’s Honourary Pallbearers are Joann Daciw, Joe and Mona Malenchak, Eileen and Grant Hamrlik, Kathy and Jim Perchalski, Keith and Claudette Malenchak, Howard Zeaton, Guy Zeaton and Brenda Holyk.

 

Our family would like to express our sincere thanks for the compassionate care Myrna received from the doctors, nurses and other medical staff at CancerCare Manitoba, the Victoria General Hospital Urgent Care Ward and the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Ward and Dr. Prinsloo our Family Doctor of many years.

 

At a future date, Myrna will be buried next to her mother Jean at the cemetery at Hodgson, MB. 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charitable organization of your choice.

 

As Myrna’s family heritage is Irish, Scottish, Polish and Ukrainian, we have included poems and sentiments of farewell, (in that order), that speak to the various cultures that make up the beautiful woman that Myrna / “Mom” will forever remain to all of us.

 

 

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face.

May the rains fall upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

 

 

Right now I'm in a different place.

And though we seem apart, I'm closer than I ever was, I'm there within your heart. 

I'm with you when you greet each day, and while the sun shines bright.

I'm there to share the sunsets too, I'm with you every night. 

I'm with you when the times are good to share a laugh or two. 

And if a tear should start to fall, I'll still be there for you. 

And when the day arrives that we no longer are apart, I'll smile and hold you close to me, forever on my heart.

 

Wieczny Odpoczynek! (Eternal Memory!)

 

Vichnaya Pamyat! (Eternal Memory!)