EMILY MORRISSETTE-SALAMANDYK

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EMILY MORRISSETTE-SALAMANDYK

(nee BACHYNSKI)

January 23, 1939 - April 29, 2025

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother, Emily Morrissette-Salamandyk (nee Bachynski), on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Extended Care Wing - Atikokan General Hospital.

Emily was born on January 23, 1939, in Vita, Manitoba, to Mary (nee Krasniuk) and Alex Bachynski.

Left to cherish her memory is her children, Maurice of Kenora, Iris (Alf) of Winnipeg and Cathy (Mark) of Wetaskiwin, AB; stepchildren, Paul (Claire) of Winnipeg, Emile (Louise, Casey and Hazel) of Winnipeg, Peter (Cheryl, Kyle, Natasha, Luke and Lainey) of Cranbrook and Nicole (Lincoln, Sarah and Keanna) of Atikokan; her grandchildren, Colleen (Curtis), Grace (Jesse), Joe (Sydney), and Jenn (Kale); her great-grandchildren, Arlo, Thea, George, and Vercingetorix; her brother William and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Maurice and sister Liz and her husband Edgar.

The family moved to Atikokan in 1945 and lived on Mackenzie Avenue where the road was yet to be completed so they had to walk down the railway tracks to get anywhere. Emily married Norman Salamandyk in 1954 and they raised three children - Maurice, Iris, and Cathy - in Atikokan, ON and Niagara Falls, ON. She built a life rooted in resilience and connection to the land through her love for the outdoors, spending time blueberry picking, hunting, and fishing. Emily was often the only woman hunting in the group and usually was the best "shot". She always had a freezer full of wild meat and she was always ready to cook it. There was always someone offering her extra fish or moose to take and she could never say No! After Norman's passing in 1991, Emily embraced life's next chapters with grace and a spirit of independence. In 2003, she married Edgar Morrissette and they lived out their final chapter of their lives with adventure, love and laughter. Emily and Ed did a trip of a lifetime to Israel to see the Holy Land; sailing the Sea of Galilee and witnessing a baptism in a Jordan River were one of many highlights for her. They also travelled to England to see old friends. Ed had never left the country so she was so happy and proud that she was able to experience that with him. Her love for Ed was clear to all who spent time with them. Emily loved to cook and bake for her family and friends, her fridge and freezer were always full of something homemade. Ed had the best crepes but Emily sure had the best everything else.

A devoted member of her church, Emily offered more than just attendance, she was always the first one to church and the last one to leave. She was a sacristan as well as an eucharistic minister where she shared the Eucharist with the community and sick. She took her role very seriously and did it with perfection. She had only just retired from her duties in 2023 so she was truly a devoted member of her church for many decades. She was a long standing member of the CWL. She welcomed travelling priests into her home with warmth and generous meals, helping them feel grounded and at home in Atikokan. Her quiet acts of kindness and hospitality left a lasting impression on many (including Father Theodore, Father Elvis, Father Nonso, Father Berchmans and Father Innocent).

Emily was a long-time resident of Atikokan, she grew up in Atikokan and raised her family for part of the time there. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, warm hospitality, and deep love for her community. She found joy in its natural beauty and in the strong sense of community that surrounded her. She believed in showing up, offering support, and finding purpose in service to others.

We will miss her beautiful smile, her warm hugs and stories.

Thank you to Dr. Spencer, the amazing staff at the Extended Care Wing, the Atikokan General Hospital and the Atikokan Family Health Team; your kindness, thoughtfulness, love and kind words were always greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation - Extended Care Wing where she resided the last year of her life.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 24 at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. in Atikokan, ON. Her cremains will be laid to rest at the Atikokan Cemetery at Little Falls.

As published in The Carillon on May 08, 2025