FLORENCE PULAK

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FLORENCE PULAK The life of Florence Pulak (Halko) began on September 9, 1934 in a small farmhouse in Wieden, Manitoba. Her parents Vicky and Joseph Halko, owned a small grocery store there. Florence not only learned all about hard work early on, but found the store a wonderful place to be mischievous and play her many pranks. In Winnipeg, as a young woman, Florence met the love of her life, Art Pulak who she wed in 1955. A baby son, Daniel soon entered their life only to be taken at the young age of two and one half years. As the years passed and their family grew, they were presented with a business opportunity that brought them to Brandon. Mom missed Winnipeg but soon grew to love Brandon and the many friends she quickly made. She became involved with the Kinette Club and was an active member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Women's League there. In 1974, tragedy struck our family when late one night, Mom suddenly became ill. As the years passed we all came to realize, that though she was still with us, she would never recover. Her children, Marlene (Kirton), David, Greg, Patrick and Len (Pulak) would grow up eager to learn more about their mother from the stories that friends and family would share. We do remember that she cared deeply for us, loved a good laugh, kept an impeccable house and an even more impeccable yard. Mom had a passion for gardening and there wasn't a summer day where you wouldn't find her tending to her beautiful flower beds. May long weekend found everyone under orders to stay home as this was the official flower planting weekend. July long weekend in our family was not for a trip for the lake. This was the official weeding weekend for the summer. Mom's immense rock garden offered a spectacular display of flowers which won several horticulture awards in the city. As each of us became adults, we took with us the lessons that she taught us while she was well and vibrant. In later years when she suffered with her illness, she still remained vibrant with a quick sense of humour. As the years moved along, Mom lost both of her parents and in 1985 her husband, Art, passed away. Mom will be missed by her grandchildren, Leland and Taylor (Kirton), and Zachary, James, Ethan and Sebastian (Pulak) as well as her son-in-law, Marlow (Kirton) and daughters-in-law, Catherine and April (Pulak). On Friday, March 4, 2005, Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep. The Divine Liturgy was held at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Brandon, on March 10, 2005 with Fr. Ernie Hafichuk as Celebrant, assisted by Cantor, Mr. Tony Yury. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. She was laid to rest by her sons who were honoured to be their Mother's pallbearers. If friends so wish, donations in memory of Florence may be made to the Brandon Area Community Foundation, Women's Fund, Box 22096, Brandon, MB, R7A 6Y9. We may not have had the opportunity to know our mother well or to grow up with her at our side, but to each of us, she passed on something of herself. We now seek solace in knowing that she is free from suffering and is now among the angels in Heaven. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements were in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon, (204) 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2005