It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved, beautiful mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Annie Gacuk. She passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 with family embracing her in the evening light.
Born Annie Mihalik to Matey and Anna Mihalik (nee Maslej) on August 30th, 1931 in Fort William, Ontario. Annie was the fourth child of five brothers and sisters; John Mihalik (Marie), Mike Mihalik (Shirley), Mary Daniar (Augustine), Helen Romick (George), all predeceased.
Annie was also predeceased by her beloved husband Peter on January 21st, 2017 and their beloved infant son, Patrick.
Our Mom is survived by and mourned by daughters, Carol Groulx (Michael), Marlene Marion (Mike), Katherine Parent (Michael), Christine Thrun and son Peter Gacuk (Sharon).
Loving Grandma to Michelle Marion, Nicole Marion (Sean), Aaron Groulx (Anna), Christopher Marion (Amber), Michael Marion, Teagan Gacuk, Elizabeth Thrun, Robert Thrun, Cadrae Orme (Trevor), Michael Parent Jr., and nine great grandchildren, Benjamin, Grace, William, Madeleine, Charley, Patrick, Lucy, Ashlyn and Pete.
Family was most important to Mom and Dad. They were very proud of their four precious little girls and cherished son. Annie met and married Peter, the love of her life, who was living right next door. After moving in with her parents, Annie and Peter then moved to Port Arthur to a home for their growing family. It was always exciting celebrating family birthdays, with special theme cakes, giant cookies and personalized glitter hats for each guest. They moved to Ajax, Ontario to share their later years with family and friends. A celebration of Mom and Dad’s 65th wedding anniversary was held by family and the many special friends they met during their time at Bay Ridges Seniors Home. Dad's loving devotion to Mom in his last years was something special to witness.
Mom was a Registered Nursing Assistant at the Port Arthur General Hospital and later at Dawson Court Home for the Aged. Her love of nursing and desire to help others inspired two generations, a daughter and granddaughter to become nurses as well.
As a talented baker and cake decorator for over 40 years, Mom won many prize ribbons at the local Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE). She also won for costume sewing, bike decorating, creative artwork, including aprons for all seasons. Her children and grandchildren continued that tradition as soon as the CLE booklet came out.
Mom made guest appearances on the popular CKPR TV / Radio station’s cooking show. Ahead of her time, she would have given Martha Stewart competition. Mom and Dad were early masters of recycling, repurposing and reusing anything they could to create something wonderful.
They were dedicated to their faith and were founding members of Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church, pinching countless perogies in support of the parish.
A mass to celebrate Annie Gacuk’s life will take place at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church, 415 Victoria Avenue West, Thunder Bay, Ontario on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 10:00 am, with luncheon to follow. Private interment in the afternoon.
If you wish, donations to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society are appreciated.
For just a moment
The colour left the rainbows
Dark clouds covered up the sun
Cold rain spilled from the sky
Then suddenly the sun returned
The most beautiful rainbow appeared
Children’s laughter filled the air
And the songs of beautiful birds
perched in the trees
And I knew that you were still there with us
And I was filled with joy for all that you
shared with me
For what now seems
Was just a moment
“So long” Mom … until we meet again …
