Obituary of VALERIE JOANNE KOHUT

On Thursday, September 29, 2022, our wife, mother, and Baba passed away into God’s Heavenly Kingdom, praying to the Blessed Mother of God, at the age of 74. Much too soon.

Mom was predeceased by her first husband Donald Tesarski and infant daughter Elyse, father and mother Alex and Mary Kukura. She is survived by her husband Peter, son Cory (Tanya), granddaughter Talia, sister Sonia Domitruk, brother Garr (Helene) Kukura. The Kohut family, Walter, Stella, Elsie (Don) Wabick, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Mom was born and grew up in Norquay, Saskatchewan, moving with her family to Winnipeg in 1960.

Mom was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of St. Joseph’s, belonging to and helping at many church functions. Mom’s faith was very strong, and she believed that her faith is what supported her through all the difficult events throughout her life and right up until the end. She passed away with her rosary in one hand and a Holy Relic from the Holy Land in her other.

Mom’s greatest pleasure was spending family time and holiday celebrations with her husband, kids, granddaughter, in-laws George and Sylvia Gaba, and Sharon and Vince Salemi (Ethan and Liam), at Cory, Tanya, and Talia’s cottage. Mom loved all the craziness, the laughter and stories, game nights, pontoon rides, the copious amounts of amazing food(s), and the evening bonfires, but she also took solace in the quiet times, (sun rises and sun sets) looking out at the lake and all of God’s beauty.

The highlight of Mom’s life was when her granddaughter Talia was born. Over the years their bond only grew stronger as they became each other’s BFFs (Best Friends Forever). The adventures they shared together, shopping, going out for lunch and dinners, concerts and quiet times laying in bed together sharing their inner most secrets, have provided a lifetime of memories and smiles.

Mom wanted to thank her husband Peter and her kids for being by her side on this life changing journey, when we all received the horrible news of her advanced cancer diagnosis in February of this year.

Funeral Service will be held at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Ave., Winnipeg, MB. on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Mom was grateful knowing that her close family and friends would do her the honour of carrying her to her final resting place: George Gaba, Richard Safiniuk, Dave Gulowaty, Gerald Bilyk, Chris Domitruk, & Ed Tycholis.

Our family cannot thank the doctors, nurses, health care aids and all staff from the 8^th floor Palliative Care Ward at St. Boniface Hospital enough, for the loving care that they gave to Mom for the past month. Mom told us everyday that they were all her angels and truly special people.

In lieu of flowers, as flowers die too soon, Mom has graciously requested that donations be made to CancerCare Manitoba, Palliative Care at St. Boniface Hospital or Riverview Health Center, or to Cancer Research, to help those that are fighting this horrible disease.  

Rest in Peace Mom. We all love you and will miss you to the moon and back.