ROSE-MARIE TANASICHUK

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ROSE-MARIE TANASICHUK (nee Makowaychuk) Peacefully, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer; it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Rose-Marie Tanasichuk, at the age of 69 on Sunday, June 6, 2010, surrounded by her family. Remaining to forever cherish Rose-Marie are her children, Cheryl Maxwell, Lisa Tanasichuk and Derek Tanasichuk; granddaughters, Kayla Maxwell, Justine Maxwell and Anastasia Tanasichuk; sister, Terry Swift (Ron) and brother, John Makowaychuk (predeceased by wife, Ellrae); nieces Tricia Penner (Doug), Tracy Dreger (Derek) and Elsie and Frankie Makowaychuk; and grand nieces Madeline and Avery Penner and grand nephew Devin Dreger. She was predeceased by her parents, Anastasia (Nellie) and Michael (Mike) Makowaychuk. Rose will also be remembered by a multitude of friends and students, all of whom cherished her as much as her family did. Rose was born in Mountain Road, Manitoba on November 25, 1940. When she was only one, the family moved to Toronto for several years, returning to Manitoba and settling in Clanwilliam in 1948. In 1956, after graduating high school when she was only 16, Rose left the family and moved into Winnipeg to study at Angus Business College. On graduation, she gained employment with Great West Life in the typing pool but it wasn't long however before Rose was promoted to the Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Great West Life. On November 7, 1957, she married Harold Tanasichuk whom she met at school as a young girl while living in Clanwilliam. Rose and Harold settled in Winnipeg where they raised their three children. Rose was an avid and successful curler before a car accident forced her to give up the sport. During her curling career, she won numerous bonspiels and competitions on both mixed and women's teams. In 1976 and 1977 she won the Manitoba Provincial Mixed Curling Championship and in 1977, won the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in 1977 and in 1979, she won the Manitoba Provincial Women's Curling Championship. While at Great West Life, Rose started selling Avon and was so successful that she became a member of the Avon President's Club. In the early 1970s, she left her job at Great West Life and took on all the administration/accounting records for a family owned business. Rose was always very creative, doing everything from sewing clothes for her children, crocheting, macramé, ceramics and decoupage. In 1980, while in Grand Forks, she discovered some books on folk art painting which was the beginning of a new career. Rose took classes, was a diligent student and became an amazing artist in many mediums. Her passion for folk art painting soon developed into what was affectionately called by many the decorative painting disease , a contagious yet rewarding affliction which would affect so many people, and thanks to her, would enable them to discover their hidden artistic talents. In 1985, Rose opened Folk Art Etc., Manitoba's first folk art and decorative painting shop. Although the business closed in 2005, she still taught painting classes to her Darlin's until March, 2010. Rose was a member of River East Arts and Crafts Association, Artisans 12, the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, Norman Art Group, St. James Rhinestones Red Hatters, and she acted as a Judge for the Prairie Canada Wood Carving Championships on several occasions. Over the years, Rose promoted folk art painting in many different ways, through craft shows, numerous classes, two published books, contributions to several other books, original pattern packet designs, newspaper and magazine columns, and several television appearances. Rose was a competitive curler, an accomplished and published artist, a successful and respected businesswoman, a mentor, a dedicated and patient teacher to thousands, a caring friend to many, an awesome mom, a terrific gramma, and an all around good egg - She was never afraid to pursue her dreams, and as a result, although it was too short, her life was full of wonderful and fulfilling accomplishments and exciting adventures. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Friday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Avenue, with Rev. Fr. Mark Tarrant, presiding. Rose's family wishes to thank everyone who has been so supportive during her battle with cancer, and special thanks to the staff and doctors at Riverview Health Centre for their compassion and care during her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rose's memory to Riverview Health Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 2P4 or to a charity of your choice. In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away. You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting until the very end. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, Come with Me. So when we saw you sleeping So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back to suffer that again. Always remembered, always cherished. Each memory a part of us, a part of you, Never to be lost.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2010