Obituary of SHIRLEY MELNYK

With her adoring children by her side, each holding a hand, Shirley Frances Melnyk (nee Kucera) passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 1:50 pm in her treasured home. We are extremely heartbroken with sorrow but are relieved that she is no longer enduring anymore pain and suffering. She travels onward towards her eternal life, leaving behind her devoted children Tom and Ann. Mom was predeceased by her father Tomas in 1939, her precious cat Pasha in 1993, her husband and our father Morris in 2000, her mother Bessie in 2001, and her first born child Dan in 2009. Our Mom was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan on April 14, 1936. She was the second daughter of Tomas and Bessie Kucera. She and her elder sister, Zdena, lived on their family farm close to many neighbours and friends and attended Marriott School. Mom loved playing with farm animals, especially her many cats, pigs, and chickens. At age 14, Mom decided to visit her Uncle Charles in Chatham, Ontario and what began as a trip to visit family, turned into a 9-year stay. Mom lived as a boarder with kind people she met while working to support herself at Kreske’s and A&P stores. She enjoyed this time in her life as she was very young and considered this to be an adventure. She missed her mom dearly, but appreciated her independence. We believe her inner strength and courage began at this point leaving home at such an early age and taking on personal responsibility. We have always admired our mom for her independent and ambitious nature. She liked to get things done in a neat and tidy fashion. Mom was offered an opportunity to work at a new A&P store in Winnipeg. This would become her third and final residence. One evening among friends, she met Morris Melnyk. Our Dad recognized a beautiful lady when he saw one and they were married on June 8, 1957. Mom was so joyous to settle down and have a home of her very own. Mom considered herself very blessed to have had her three children and beloved cat Pasha, whom she greatly adored. Both Mom and Dad enjoyed our family home together for many years, alongside their two wonderful neighbours and very best friends Minnie and Frank. These friendships were unique and lifelong. Mom enjoyed working inside and outside the house, always busy and always accomplishing anything and everything. She was an excellent bowler, enjoyed playing bingo, maintaining her two home gardens, and spending summer weekends at the family cabin in Petersfield. Mom’s amazing personal strength was tested a few times in her life. The loss of her mother and husband within a short time period left her very sad. She endured the tragic loss of her son Dan. How she survived that remains remarkable in our minds. Her remaining children Tom and Ann, grew closer to her and spent much time with her shopping, enjoying the outdoors, cheering on the Bombers and the Leafs, listening to Johnny Cash and the Highwaymen, and attending Daniel O’Donnell concerts. She simply adored her children and remained an absolutely devoted mother to them until her very last breath. They most certainly adored and admired her back. She will also be lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews as part of both families. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 7th, 2020 at 10:00am at Cropo Funeral Chapel at 1442 Main Street. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery at 4515 Main Street, with reception to follow at Cropos. Donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society in honour of Mom and Pasha. “Mother you held my hand a little while, but hold my heart forever.”