Obituary for Jennie Kostynuik
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear, loving, gracious and kind mother Jennie Kostyniuk at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, SK on March 22nd, 2021.
Jennie was a daughter, wife, mother, Baba, sister, gardener, cook and gracious friend.
As a daughter to Ukrainian immigrants who built their homestead on the prairies, Jennie knew a life of hardship and hard work from her earliest days. Her parents arrived in Canada in the early 1900’s to make a life for themselves on land outside Meath Park, SK. Between building a log home, raising children and trying to eke out a living from unyielding prairie soil, there wasn’t a lot of time left for leisure, although Jennie did enjoy playing ball whenever she got a chance and kept up a lifelong love of watching baseball on T.V. especially for her Toronto Blue Jays.
Jennie was the third of nine children, born to Nicolia and Domka Smytaniuk on Canadian soil, and never forgot those early years. She attended school in the Meath Park area until grade eight and then was expected to stay at home to help out on the farm, no longer able to further her education, though wanting to, because she had a keen thirst for school and learning.
Jennie married George Kostyniuk on Dec 3, 1944 and they moved to Shipman, SK to begin their life together. Tough times but joyous ones also, in those early years of building a home and starting out with very little in materialistic things. Then two daughters were born to Jennie and George; Linda and Margaret, bringing great joy to Jennie’s life. Her “wee” blessings made all the hard work worthwhile.
Jennie’s days were a steady stream of laundry, gardening, canning and non-stop cooking, all without the aid of electricity until 1965 and no running water. But she was never a complaining woman and loved farm work.
Jennie was a woman of deep faith and somehow, she found time to make perogies, cabbage rolls and cakes for dinners and fundraisers at the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Jennie was well liked by her neighbors and friends. She loved living on the farm at Shipman. She was always willing to offer to others what little she had. Everyone who walked through the doors of her home would be treated to a good home cooked meal of whatever she had on hand. It was a tradition and honor to feed all who visited. The farm was sold in 1974 and Jennie and George moved to Candle Lake, SK where Jennie made many new friends and slowly adapted to new life at the lake. She especially enjoyed the Candle Lake Seniors Club. After George passed in 2004, Jennie continued to live at Candle Lake for a time, but eventually moved to Northcote Manor in Prince Albert, SK until her passing. Once again, she made many new and wonderful friends. God Bless each and every one who took the time to greet, check-up on and have a coffee, bingo or card game with our dear Mama. We walk this life more easily with the help of friends.
Mom enjoyed her many trips to BC to spend time with her grandchildren and during her last trip we had the privilege of celebrating her 95th birthday, a gathering we will not ever forget. But it was a hard trip as her mobility and pain was ever increasing.
A closing quote from one of Jennie’s grandchildren (Nicole) which reflects what all of us feel… “An inspiring woman who has taught her children and grandchildren to love unconditionally with open arms and no judgements. A woman that teaches by example, appreciating the small things in life …. because she knows that is what makes life full.” Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Baba. We love you so much.
Thank you to Level 5, Palliative Care, Victoria Hospital for the extraordinary care and compassion you showed our mom, Jennie, in her final days. It is the family’s request that any donations in Jennie’s memory be made to Victoria Hospital Foundation – Palliative Care.
Jennie is survived by her daughters Linda Senko of Maple Ridge, BC & Margaret (Ron) Berezowsky of Prince Albert, SK. Her grandchildren & great grandchildren Kirsten (Steven) Hutt of Langley, BC and their children Keegan and Lainey; Nicole Berezowsky (Ryan Wiggins) and their son Finn; Matthew Senko of Maple Ridge, BC. Her sister Victoria Korolischuk; Her sisters-in-law Olga Smytaniuk and Anne Kostyniuk; Her brother-in-law: Edward (Pauline) Kostyniuk, as well as numerous nieces and nephews
Jennie was predeceased by her husband George Kostyniuk; her parents: Nicolia and Domka Smytaniuk; her siblings: John, Bill, Mary, Ann, Alex, Delvina, Andrew and many of their spouses & her husband’s siblings Nick, Mary, Jim, Jean, Anna, Evelyn, John & many of their spouses.
Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium – Shellbrook Funeral Home. Brian Stobbs, Renee Phaneuf & Mark Gyeorick. www.MacKenzieChapel.ca 306.763.8488.
Jennie was a daughter, wife, mother, Baba, sister, gardener, cook and gracious friend.
As a daughter to Ukrainian immigrants who built their homestead on the prairies, Jennie knew a life of hardship and hard work from her earliest days. Her parents arrived in Canada in the early 1900’s to make a life for themselves on land outside Meath Park, SK. Between building a log home, raising children and trying to eke out a living from unyielding prairie soil, there wasn’t a lot of time left for leisure, although Jennie did enjoy playing ball whenever she got a chance and kept up a lifelong love of watching baseball on T.V. especially for her Toronto Blue Jays.
Jennie was the third of nine children, born to Nicolia and Domka Smytaniuk on Canadian soil, and never forgot those early years. She attended school in the Meath Park area until grade eight and then was expected to stay at home to help out on the farm, no longer able to further her education, though wanting to, because she had a keen thirst for school and learning.
Jennie married George Kostyniuk on Dec 3, 1944 and they moved to Shipman, SK to begin their life together. Tough times but joyous ones also, in those early years of building a home and starting out with very little in materialistic things. Then two daughters were born to Jennie and George; Linda and Margaret, bringing great joy to Jennie’s life. Her “wee” blessings made all the hard work worthwhile.
Jennie’s days were a steady stream of laundry, gardening, canning and non-stop cooking, all without the aid of electricity until 1965 and no running water. But she was never a complaining woman and loved farm work.
Jennie was a woman of deep faith and somehow, she found time to make perogies, cabbage rolls and cakes for dinners and fundraisers at the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Jennie was well liked by her neighbors and friends. She loved living on the farm at Shipman. She was always willing to offer to others what little she had. Everyone who walked through the doors of her home would be treated to a good home cooked meal of whatever she had on hand. It was a tradition and honor to feed all who visited. The farm was sold in 1974 and Jennie and George moved to Candle Lake, SK where Jennie made many new friends and slowly adapted to new life at the lake. She especially enjoyed the Candle Lake Seniors Club. After George passed in 2004, Jennie continued to live at Candle Lake for a time, but eventually moved to Northcote Manor in Prince Albert, SK until her passing. Once again, she made many new and wonderful friends. God Bless each and every one who took the time to greet, check-up on and have a coffee, bingo or card game with our dear Mama. We walk this life more easily with the help of friends.
Mom enjoyed her many trips to BC to spend time with her grandchildren and during her last trip we had the privilege of celebrating her 95th birthday, a gathering we will not ever forget. But it was a hard trip as her mobility and pain was ever increasing.
A closing quote from one of Jennie’s grandchildren (Nicole) which reflects what all of us feel… “An inspiring woman who has taught her children and grandchildren to love unconditionally with open arms and no judgements. A woman that teaches by example, appreciating the small things in life …. because she knows that is what makes life full.” Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Baba. We love you so much.
Thank you to Level 5, Palliative Care, Victoria Hospital for the extraordinary care and compassion you showed our mom, Jennie, in her final days. It is the family’s request that any donations in Jennie’s memory be made to Victoria Hospital Foundation – Palliative Care.
Jennie is survived by her daughters Linda Senko of Maple Ridge, BC & Margaret (Ron) Berezowsky of Prince Albert, SK. Her grandchildren & great grandchildren Kirsten (Steven) Hutt of Langley, BC and their children Keegan and Lainey; Nicole Berezowsky (Ryan Wiggins) and their son Finn; Matthew Senko of Maple Ridge, BC. Her sister Victoria Korolischuk; Her sisters-in-law Olga Smytaniuk and Anne Kostyniuk; Her brother-in-law: Edward (Pauline) Kostyniuk, as well as numerous nieces and nephews
Jennie was predeceased by her husband George Kostyniuk; her parents: Nicolia and Domka Smytaniuk; her siblings: John, Bill, Mary, Ann, Alex, Delvina, Andrew and many of their spouses & her husband’s siblings Nick, Mary, Jim, Jean, Anna, Evelyn, John & many of their spouses.
Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium – Shellbrook Funeral Home. Brian Stobbs, Renee Phaneuf & Mark Gyeorick. www.MacKenzieChapel.ca 306.763.8488.