Obituary of LILLIAN (LIL) KAPRAWY

LILLIAN (LIL) KAPRAWY (HOMENKO) On April 15, 2013, Lil passed away, surrounded by her loving children. She is survived by children Ken, Sandra (Wally), Sharon (Phil), Dennis (Maureen), and grandchildren Mark and Candace (and mother Hilda); Jeffrey, Jennifer and Jessica; Cheryl, Karoline and Andrew, Hilary, Joshua, Nathan (and mother Jan or Buffy), Janelle and Mathew; sixteen great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. She was especially close to her niece Ruth Larochelle who was more like a sister than a niece. Lil was predeceased by husband of 50 years Emil, parents Justina and Joseph, siblings Mary, John, Nick, Harry, and Jean. Lil was the last of the Homenko siblings. Born in a log cabin on the Homenko homestead in Ledwyn on April 8, 1926, Lil lost her mother at age fourteen. A few years later Lil, along with her father, departed for Toronto where she made her contribution to the war effort, working at de Havilland Aircraft. At war’s end she came back to Manitoba where she met her husband Emil. They moved to Vancouver for five years, then back to Manitoba where they purchased a farm north of Arborg. Lil began her career as a restaurateur in Keewatin, Ontario. She and husband Emil then established Surfside, a thriving restaurant in Lac du Bonnet, operating it for seven years. Her quick wit, sense of humour and vibrant personality charmed her way into many customers’ lives. Later, they successively owned and operated the Blanchard Hotel in Oak River, then together with daughter Sandra the Shamrock Inn (lost to a devastating fire) and then Tasty Treats drive-in at Pine Falls. But the farm at Arborg was always home. In 1981, Lil completed a Commercial Cooking Certificate at Red River College, and began her 25 year career as a cook at Pembina Hall at the University of Manitoba, where she still has numerous friends. Throughout these years Lil maintained numerous beautiful flower beds and huge and bountiful vegetable gardens at the farm. The farmstead was a virtual park. She faithfully fed her feathered friends, especially the humming birds. Lil hosted regular extended-family dinners at the farm. Since Lil was a great and creative cook, her family feasted upon perogies, cabbage rolls and dainties. She had boundless energy and an amazing capacity for work. Lil loved to travel to warmer climates; to Florida, on Caribbean cruises, to California, New Mexico and Hawaii. She was an avid Bingo player, loved to dance to Ukrainian music at weddings, and was the life of the party. She had a love of sports, especially curling, and knew how to bonspiel. Lil faithfully cheered on Tiger Woods, Kevin Martin, and the Blue Jays. Lil had great pride in and affection for her family, and her Ukrainian heritage. She was kind, generous and believed in equal treatment for all. Lil’s vibrant personality won her life-long friends. She will be missed by many. Many thanks for the wonderful care provided by Arborg Home Care staff and by Dr. Siddiqui and nurses in the Arborg Hospital. Her Memorial Service will be held at the Arborg Christian Fellowship Church on Saturday, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. Private interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Vichnaya Pam’yat