Mary (Korol) Pachkowski

It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of Mary Pachkowski, aged 87 years of Dauphin, Manitoba after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. 
Mary was born on January 1, 1931 in Mink Creek, Manitoba to Maxim and Julia (Moroz) Korol.  Mary attended Ruskin school and Rhodes school while also working on the family farm.  From a young age, she was helping around the house and looking after her siblings; she also worked for local farm families as a young girl.  
She married Russ Pachkowski on November 10th 1950, and they settled in the Rhodes district.  Russ and Mary had three children: Mike, Judy, and Joyce.  They lived on the farm and she loved to care for her livestock and pets.  In 1974, Mary and Russ moved their family to Dauphin.  Even after moving, her heart was in Rhodes and she went back to visit as often as she could, always feeling like she was going home when she reached the Rhodes area.  
Mary worked in the housekeeping department at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre for 16 years until she retired.  After she retired, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, gardening, cooking and baking.  She also enjoyed visiting with her family and friends. 
Mary’s family was her life.  She was a devoted wife and mother who always looked after her family.  Even when times were tough, she made sure that her children did not have to go without.  She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also had a large extended family from her involvement in the church and from her new home at St. George’s, where she made new friends and was reunited with many old ones. 
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren have many fond memories of her.  Her house was a second home for them, and she always welcomed them with open arms.  There were many visits, sleepovers, and lunches with Baba.  She remembered every holiday, birthday, and anniversary, and spoiled her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved spending time with her great grandbabies, and they brought her so much joy.  A visit at Great Baba’s always included lots of snacks and ended with lots of hugs, kisses, and a $5 bill tucked into their pockets.  Whenever there was a concert, a game, a graduation, or an important milestone, she would always be there and would tell her grandkids and great grandkids how proud of them she was.   
Mary’s faith was very important to her, and she regularly attended church, especially on holidays. She valued her culture and would always prepare traditional Christmas or Easter meals and enjoyed caroling for Ukrainian Christmas, making traditional foods and hosting the family for painting pysanky.  
Mary spent a great deal of time helping others and volunteering.  She was a humble person who was happiest when giving to others. Even after she moved to Dauphin, she would travel to Rhodes and look after the cemetery.  She spent countless hours at the Ukrainian Catholic church in Dauphin and enjoyed the time that she spent with all of the ladies there. She also devoted a great deal of time helping others by driving her friends to appointments or visiting people in the hospital.  
Mary is survived by her daughters Judy Derhak (Don), Joyce Gancher (Louis) and daughter-in-law Claudette Pachkowski and family.  She is also survived by her eight grandchildren Pam Chetyrbuk (Brent), Kevin Pachkowski (Adrienne), Jamie Derhak (Joe), Krissie Hlady (Mike), Carrie Miner (Kent), Brandi Graham (Mark), Jodi Gancher (Dustin), and Kelli Zeiler (Jeff).  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Logan, Camryn, Taylor, Ryder, Brooke, Hayden, Colton, Cohen, Mackenzie, Neve, and Bree. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law Esther Korol and Luba Korol, in-laws Nellie Pachkowski, Rose and Peter Hrytsay, Cecilia Nichol, and many nieces and nephews.  
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Russ; her son, Mike; her parents, Maxim and Julia; three infant brothers Mike, Steve, and Nick; siblings Bill Moroz (Anne), Matt (Ethel), Andy (Elsie), Fred, Steve, Dora Goray (John), and Mike (Kathy). 
Prayers were offered on Monday, March 26th, 2018 at the Sneath Strilchuk Family Care Centre and the funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 27th at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection.  Both services were officiated by Very Rev. Father Oleg Bodnarski, with Mervin Procyshyn as cantor.  The eulogy was delivered by Jodi Gancher.  Interment followed at the Rhodes Cemetery in Ethelbert, MB.  Mary was laid to rest by her grandchildren Pam Chetyrbuk, Kevin Pachkowski, Jamie Derhak, Krissie Hlady, Carrie Miner, Brandi Graham, Jodi Gancher, and Kelli Zeiler.  
If friends so desire, donations may be made towards a  Bench in Memory of Mary at the Rhodes Cemetery  c/o Shirley Pachkowski RR # 1 Ethelbert, MB R0L 0T0

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