Pauline Halabecki passed away peacefully on July 11, 2016 at TBRHSC with her family by her side. She was born at McKellar General Hospital, Fort William, and left us 6 ½ hrs before her 89th birthday.
Pauline was predeceased by her parents Katherine(Gerus) and Martin Wowchuk, loving husband Frank and daughter-in-law Parvin.
Pauline will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her children: Dennis, Terry, Gerry (Christine) and Sue Ibey (Gord), sisters Cecile Mascarin and Anne Mandryk, grandchildren Michelle, Kevin (Maha), Mark, Catherine (Jonny), Kerri (Chris), Kelly (Tino), Eric, Robyn and Kristen (Kelly) and great grandchildren Kayja, Molly, Claire and Brock.
Mom was a graduate of Selkirk High and worked at Canada Car before marrying Frank on November 6, 1948 and sharing 57 years together. They raised their family in Westfort – Dad worked and Mom looked after the children. She was an excellent cook for family get togethers, could preserve anything Dad picked or brought from the garden or bush, could mend all holes in socks and clothes, and made meals from scratch every day. Mom re-entered the work force once her children were in high school for a few years. Over the past 10 years Mom’s favourite hobby was reading. She was very proud of the fact that she read over 500 books.
Mom was an active member of the Church of the Holy Cross and the Golden Agers for many years until ill health prevented her participation.
Mom was the rock of our family – she set the moral standards that we all live by today. Her love, compassion and strength will never be forgotten.
The family would like to extend special thanks to two incredible doctors whom Mom loved dearly – Dr. Kirsten Addison and Dr. Cathy Simpson. Many thanks to the caregivers over the last few months from CCAC, Bayshore and Paramed. Lastly, a special thanks to the nurses of 2A – you provided compassion and treated Mom with such respect in her final days.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 when family and friends will gather for Liturgy in Church of the Holy Cross 415 Victoria Avenue East, at 11:00am celebrated by Rev. Stepan Didur. Panachyda will be offered on , Sunday evening, at 7:00pm in Church of the Holy Cross. If friends desire, memorials to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation Northern Cancer Fund would be appreciated.
Pauline Halabecki will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
