Obituary of DORIS MONK

DORIS MONK (MATUSOW) January 2, 1927- October 28, 2015 Peacefully in her sleep after a long and valiant struggle with Alzheimer's dementia Doris passed away on October 28, 2015 at Meadowood Manor. Mom was predeceased by her father Stanley in 1968, mother Leona in 1993, older brother Morris in 2012 and younger brother Ernie in 2014. Surviving with her memory forever in our hearts are eldest son Ted (Val) Monk, grandsons Jordan (Steff) and Tyson (Vanessa); daughter Donna Wintink (Alan), grandson Justin (Michelle), great-granddaughter Kammryn, grandson Kyle (Kristin), great-grandson Bentley; step-grandson Rory Kunderman (Colleen), great-grandchildren Kane and Rorie-Lee; son Morris (Corrie), step-grandsons Tyler and Riley (Sabrina). Also mourning her loss are sisters-in-law Ilse Matusow and Helen Wolejszo as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Mom was born on January 2, 1927 in Podwoloczyska, Ukraine, the only daughter of Stanley and Leona Matusow. In 1930 her family immigrated to Canada and lived in St Boniface before relocating to Hudson, Ontario. At the age of 18 she moved back to Winnipeg to attend Success Business College to obtain a secretarial diploma. Mom was a hard working very independent person throughout her life and had many talents. Not only was she a full time Mom, she also held a variety of jobs. From switchboard operator at Children's Hospital, to dental assistant (trained on the job) and various clerical/secretarial jobs, the last working approximately 20 years at McGregor Medical Clinic until she retired at age 65 in 1992. No matter where you went with her in the North End or Maples people always recognized her and said hello and remembered her from the Clinic. Mom was a strong believer in her Ukrainian Catholic Faith. It was that faith in God that helped her survive several hardships throughout her lifetime. Her prayers were the most positive reinforcement in her life. She was a member of St. Nicholas Parish for 50+ years and maintained her Ukrainian heritage and customs. After our Dad left, Mom’s main focus was to ensure her children were well taken care of. She did her best to instill good values, to be respectful, kind, honest, hardworking and successful. The importance of an education was also stressed on a regular basis. Her rules were strict but only because she wanted the best for all of us. All of Mom’s efforts were made directly for our benefit many of which required great sacrifice on her part. Mom was a great cook and loved baking. All of us will certainly miss her home style cooking, especially those pyrogies smothered in butter and fried onions. She was also known for those roasters full of great holubchi. She loved working in the yard tending to her flowers and garden. She had the knack for it! She always loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When they were toddlers, playtime included the singing of Ukrainian children’s songs. Her spare time was spent doing volunteer work at the Spence Street Thrift Shop. She was also a member at Prosvita's Women's League as well as St Nicholas Church. All her life Mom was an avid walker. She never got her driver's license, so she walked everywhere; to work, grocery stores, church. Most of all she enjoyed her walks with close friends Mary Quick, Anna Kurylo and Irene Schweedic, especially if they were going for ice-cream. As family we know it kept her loving heart strong! Family would like to thank all the staff at Riverside Lions and Meadowood Manor for all the care and attention they gave Mom over the past three years. It was greatly appreciated. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, November 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Avenue with Divine Liturgy beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Holy Family Cemetery, 4355 Main Street. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Justin and Kyle Wintink, Jordan and Tyson Monk, Tyler McGibney and Rory Kunderman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doris's memory to St. Nicholas Church, 737 Bannerman Ave., Wpg. R2X 1J9 or to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St. Wpg. R3C4G2.