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It is with heavy hearts, that family announces the passing of our beloved mom, gramma and great gramma. Tessie Storozynsky passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday, April 2, 2021 at the age of 87.
Tessie was born on May 21, 1933 in Shortdale, MB to parents, Harry and Lena (Wasylena) Gara. Tessie’s mom and dad were born in Ukraine and Poland respectively. They immigrated to Canada where they lived and farmed in Ashville, MB before moving to Shortdale. Tessie attended Gilbert School with her five sisters and three brothers and participated in a number of school activities.
On February 21, 1950 Tessie married the man of her dreams, Taras and they settled on the farm in Shortdale, MB. From their loving union they were blessed with ten children, five girls and five boys. Tessie and Taras were kept very busy with the daily chores of running their grain and cattle farm. Tessie ran the family home smoothly and showed much love and care for her large family. You would think this would be her full time job but it was not! Tessie helped raise cattle, chickens, turkeys and pigs, milked the cows and grew enormous vegetable gardens as well as helped Taras with the harvest. Mom also grew raspberries, strawberries, flowers and maintained a beautiful yard. Tessie would take the time for her children (moments when she could play) and make every birthday special and memorable.
Tessie had a wonderful talent for planting and arranging her many flower gardens which brought so much enjoyment to her and her family. As mentioned earlier, Tessie planted huge vegetable gardens and the family enjoyed the benefits for the entire year. Tessie along with her children would go into the woods to pick wild berries as well as delicious mushrooms:CMOPЧKИ. She canned, pickled, baked and cooked delicious dishes; pies, cakes, bread, potato pancakes, perogies, cabbage rolls and homemade soups, just to name a few. Many people got to taste her famous perogies, pizza pops and potato pancakes when she and dad later moved to Roblin.
Tessie and Taras semi-retired to Roblin in early 1980. They decided to sell the farm and build a house in Roblin. For five months, Tessie worked with homecare as a homemaker, looking after the personal needs of the elderly, as well as cleaning their homes. She also helped with opening of the Roblin Saan Store, assisting with unpacking and invoicing all the retail products. Tessie then secured a full time job with the Intermountain School Division No.36 working in Roblin as an Assistant Caretaker with Goose Lake High and Elementary School for 15 years. She developed a wonderful connection with the children at the schools and enjoyed the students as if they were her own. The students and teachers enjoyed her great sense of humor, compassion and of course her homemade goodies! Tessie liked to feed everyone! During the number of years Tessie worked outside the home, she still found time to plant a large garden, beautiful flower pots and rock gardens at their new home in Roblin.
Tessie found a lot of joy while spending time with her granddaughter, Trez. They both shared an unique bond through their humour and their love of animals. She enjoyed sharing her baking, canned goods and cooking with her children, grandchildren and many friends. She was an avid knitter and enjoyed creating her beautiful Pysanky. Tessie enjoyed her daily walks and meeting her friends for coffee after she retired in 1995. Her outrageous humour, quick wit and her funny story telling will be greatly missed by her “Coffee Gang”! If you heard loud laughter in the coffee shop, you knew Tessie would be found right in the middle of it. She would often bring vegetables from her garden that surprisingly resembled parts of the human anatomy to show her coffee mates. Yep, never a dull moment with Tessie! Tessie also enjoyed Saturday evening Kinsmen Bingo and the Bingo scratch tickets, which would later entertain her at the personal care home. At the PCH Tessie added spunk and flare to the facility. Once again, she shared her mischievous antics, contagious humour, stories and her Chum Chums. She was generous, caring and somehow made everyone feel special. Tessie would always put everyone ahead of herself. If you were feeling sad, Tessie would quickly change that. Tessie enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, making them laugh with her goofy sense of humour. She adored them all and was very proud of each one. She always gave them tons of affection and wonderful “Chum Chums” (kiss, kiss). Large family and holiday gatherings were amazing with lots of food, laughter and sharing of stories about our life on the farm and in Roblin. Tessie always said “the more the merrier” or “EAT! EAT!” Whenever she met someone on the street, at the store or wherever, she always took the time to say hello, have a chat or share a laugh. Tessie was very kind, friendly and she enjoyed speaking with the young and old alike. Tessie loved fashion, the brighter the “Bling” the better. She knew how to present herself beautifully. Even when she felt unwell she still wanted her lipstick and jewelry on, it just made her feel better.
Tessie will be lovingly remembered by her children, Theresa (Lawrence), Debra (Ken), Brian (Darlene), Roxanna (Ken), Jack (Rose), Randy, Connie (Brent), Rocky (Cindy). Remembering gramma lovingly with her big hugs are her 15 grandchildren, Dylan, Derek, Kevin, Natasha, Chanse, Cyndall, Samantha, Jessica, Kendra, Amber, Cody, Trez, Quinn, Selena and JD; as well as her 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Also mourning her loss is brother, Ralph Gara (Carol). Tessie was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years Taras; her parents, Harry and Lena Gara; her infant daughter, Lana; son, Douglas and grandson, Travis Storozynsky; five sisters, Helen, Ann, Olga, Doris and Martha and two brothers, Mike and Zenith.
Thank you mom for blessing us all with your compassion, style, creativity, strength, generosity, work ethic, humour, and most importantly your unconditional love. Thank you for always being there for us and giving us the best things in life. Mom you are our hero. Tessie was one of a kind, beautiful, inside and out. She will be remembered for her vivacious spirit!
Forever Remembered, Forever Cherished, Forever Loved… CHUM CHUM (KISS, KISS).
A private family celebration of Tessie’s life was held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Sneath Strilchuk Roblin Chapel with Rev. Father Brent Kuzyk officiating and Cantors from the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church. After the reading of the eulogy, a video tribute followed compiled by granddaughter Trez Baumung. Carrying Tessie to her resting place in St. John Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in Roblin were Pallbearers, Brent Baumung, Vaughn Dagg, Derek Storozynsky, Rocky Storozynsky, Roy Storozynsky and Mervin Storozynsky.
Due to COVID restrictions, there were no refreshments, fellowship and sharing of memories.
Should friends so wish, donations in memory of Tessie Storozynsky may be made to the Roblin District Community Foundation - Box 1599 Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 or to Roblin Crocus Court PCH - Box 940 Roblin, MB R0L 1P0.
Vichnaya Pamyat.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tessie (Gara) Storozynsky, please visit our floral store.
Roblin District Community Foundation - General Fund
Box 1599, Roblin MB R0L 1P0
Roblin Crocus Court Personal Care Home
Box 940, Roblin MB R0L 1P0