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Josephine “Josie” Caruk

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Josephine “Josie” Caruk

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our Mom, Baba, and Big Baba, Josephine (Livitski) Caruk, age 85, on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Mom was born on July 4, 1936, in Port Arthur, Ontario. Her parents, Nellie and Slaugl (Steven) Livitski, immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine in the 1920s and settled in Port Arthur where they raised 6 children. Mom often talked about her childhood growing up in the coal docks. Some of those stories seemed hard to tell, but she was always grateful for her family and how they supported each other through the good and bad times.

In 1957, she met the love of her life, John, while working at the Embassy Grill and the two were married in 1959. After Mom and Dad married, they moved to Westfort and together raised 4 children. They were blessed to live in their home for 62 years where many good times were had and so many memories to cherish. Mom was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom and raised us while Dad worked. She was a humble, sweet lady with a big heart. Family was the most important part of her life.

Mom faced many health challenges over the years but never once gave up or felt sorry for herself. She had a strong will to live and we can all learn a lesson from her to never give up, no matter what obstacles you face. She is our hero.

For the past 21 years, Mom enjoyed the time spent with Dad and the family at their trailer at Birch Point Resort. If she had the choice, she would have lived out there all summer. Mom loved to go shopping, making donations at the casino, buying scratch tickets, playing Hagi TV Bingo and watching old movies.

Survived by her children, Karen (Gerald) Matson, Mike (Ann Marie) Caruk, Susan (Larry) Bale and Wendy Caruk (Ian Kimber); grandchildren Terry (Veronique), Scott (Vicki), Melissa, Chelsey (Travis), Connor, Abby, Paula (Travis), Cody (Rachel), Megan (Ryan) and Jordan (Melissa); great grandchildren, Archer, Weston, Vance, Lincoln, Lilliana, George, Wyatt, Ellie and Lenna. Special mention to her fur grandchildren, Cooper and Tucker who loved to visit their Baba, because she had the best treats.

Also survived by her brother Peter (Carol) Livitski, sister-in-law’s Hilda Tymchyshyn, Elsie (Eugene) Prokopowich, Mabel Wingie; and brother-in-law’s Ron (Phyllis) Caruk, Eddie (Elsie) Caruk as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Predeceased by her husband John on January 4, 2022. Parents Nellie and Steven Livitski, sisters Mary (Bill) Shubaly, Nellie (Carl) Killer, brothers Nick (Julie) Livitski and John Livitski; mother-in-law Annie Caruk; sister-in-law, Olga (Paul) Tymchyshyn and brothers-in-law Peter Tymchyshyn and John Wingie.

Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life for both Mom and Dad on Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the Knights of Columbus Centre in Thunder Bay. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.

The family wishes to thank the many workers from VON and Bayshore that have helped care for mom over the years.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Northern Cardiac Fund, made payable to TBRHSF or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Don’t think of her as gone away, her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days or years.
Think how she must be wishing that we could know today
How nothing but our sadness, can really pass away.
And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much

Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com




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