ANNIE KLYMCHUK (HELENE ST-JEAN)

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SISTER ANNIE KLYMCHUK (HELENE ST-JEAN) Sister Annie Klymchuk (Hélène St-Jean) died peacefully at Foyer Valade on March 7, 2014, at the age of 93. Sister Annie was in her 69th year of religious life. She was born on December 14, 1920 in Aubigny, MB, to Lena Tomick and John Klymchuk and grew up in a loving family with one sister and nine brothers. At an early age, she knew hardship and sorrow when her dad died in an accident. She also lost two of her sisters who died in infancy. Like her mother, Annie proved to be very courageous, hard-working and skillful. Annie went to school in Aubigny, St. Adolphe and St. Malo. Then, after working for a few years, she entered the novitiate in of the Filles de la Croix (Sisters of the Cross) in St. Adolphe. True to the spirit of our founders, Saint André-Hubert Fournet and Saint Jeanne Elisabeth, Sister Annie was a person of faith, hope and prayer. She was appreciated, for her kindness, her loving, gentle presence and her readiness to give a helping hand. Living in harmony and peace as well as respecting the intentions of people she served, was of utmost importance to her. "She bloomed wherever she was planted". Be it in Manitoba, Quebec or Saskatchewan she served with great dedication in different ministries and services: teaching, visiting and caring for the sick and the elderly. She was an excellent cook. She loved knitting, crocheting, sewing, and driving. The most rewarding time for Sister Annie was the 21 years she spent as manager of a woodwork workshop for mentally challenged young adults at the Glenn McGuire School in Oxbow, SK. Patient and compassionate, she rejoiced and complimented students for every success and achievement. Sister Annie was predeceased by her parents, John and Lena Klymchuk, her sisters Pauline, Jean and Mary, her brothers Mathew, Theodore, William, John, Nicholas, Michael, Harry, Henry, her sisters-in-law: Hannah, Betty, Joanne and a brother-in-law, Allan Bonham. Annie will be lovingly remembered by her religious community, Les Filles de la Croix as well as by her brother Stephen, and sisters-in-law: Eve, Margaret, Matilda, and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. The funeral mass will be celebrated on March 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel at 601 Aulneau Street in St-Boniface. Interment will follow at the St. Adolphe Cemetery. Les Filles de la Croix would like to express their gratitude to the nursing staff and volunteers of Foyer Valade for the loving care given to Sister Annie. Funeral arrangements in care of LECLARE BROTHERS 775-2220.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2014