ELEANOR LEONA OKRAINEC (GOLEMBIOSKI)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELEANOR LEONA OKRAINEC (nee GOLEMBIOSKI) June 22, 1920 - May 4, 2013 After a valiant and arduous journey, Mom finally found peace on the afternoon of May 4, 2013 at the Golden Links Lodge surrounded by her family. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, Alex, brother Janek Golembioski, in-laws John and Lucille Okrainec, Auntie Stella, and nieces Melodie Babisky and Beverley Brown. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Bonnie (Dan) and her treasured granddaughter, the light of her life, Brittany Siemens. Also survived by sister-in-law Mary Golembioski, niece Debbie (Les) Shumila, nephew Ian (Irene) Golembioski, niece Gail (Ray) Marshall and their families, as well as many great-nephews and nieces. Mom had a full life, growing up in Ladywood on the family farm, and then started her career working in Ottawa, with her long-time friend, Beth Gould, for the Federal Government during the war. Their friendship endured to this day experiencing all the twists and turns that life can serve. Coming back before the end of the war, she stayed on the farm for a while and eventually worked in Winnipeg. She met Alex in the late 1940s, and they were married in 1949. After Bonnie was born, she remained at home, and only returned to the working field in the late 1960s. She held a position at the University of Manitoba, Department of Oral Biology for many years, which she enjoyed immensely, and continued making new friends. Mom travelled with Dad, first in the 1950s by car throughout the States, in the 1960s at Brereton Lake, and then in the 1970s started their annual pilgrimage to their favourite destination, Hawaii. After losing Alex in 1981, Mom continued to travel the world with her friends and her trips took her to Europe, Alaska, the U.S., Australia and of course Hawaii. Mom loved playing cards, especially Canasta and Bridge with John and Lucille and good friends, Emil and Dorothy Kiziak. Football was a favourite of Mom and Dad's and so there were many Grey Cup parties with their friends including Carl and Mary Starodub. But Mom was first an avid baseball fan, following the Toronto Blue Jays, keeping her own stats on the scores; even travelling to Minneapolis in her 70s to see her team play. Mom was an avid knitter of all kinds of sweaters, toques, mitts and scarves for family and the Christmas Cheer Board where she volunteered. She was, like her brother, a follower and connoisseur of knowledge, learned word processing in her 70s, was an avid reader, and always had a jigsaw or crossword puzzle going. Miss Ellie, as she came to be called, was so excited at the birth of her granddaughter, Brittany, and dedicated all her time and effort to her, showering her with love, praise and support. Although Mom is no longer here, we know that she is watching over Brittany and will guide her throughout her life. All who knew her say she was always compassionate and kind, graceful and polite, and never growing old. When health forced her into the nursing home in her 80s, she commented that the place was not bad, but noted with some dismay that there were many elderly people living there, never considering herself old at any stage of the game. Dementia is a vicious disease that takes your very soul, but it would not overcome Mom, she retained her joyful personality to the end, although the disease slowly ravaged her mind and body. We will miss Eleanor, a mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, but we know her journey is done, and she is joining those that have gone before and now will have the peace she so deserves. Thanks to all the staff at the Golden Links Lodge for all the years of exceptional care and compassion, especially in the final weeks of Mom's stay, making the final steps of the long journey with dignity and grace. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Avenue. Then someone at my side says, There she goes!' Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, There she goes!', there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: Here she comes!' For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2013