Caroline SHEESHKA

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SHEESHKA: Caroline Sheeshka. Leaving us with many precious memories, we are deeply saddened on the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother at Shoal Lake Morley Personal Care Home on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at the age of 100 years, 308 days. She was born on February 2, 1914 to Nicholas and Mary(nee Drozda) Borodie, the youngest of three children. She attended Olha School during the fall and spring seasons. Winter prevented her from going to school which was three miles away from home. During her time in school, she learned how to read and write at approximately grade three level. At the young age of 13, she left home to work in Shoal Lake at a doctor’s residence and then at a priest’s residence. She worked at two farm homes looking after small children and doing chores. In the evening the farmers’ wives helped her with her reading and writing. After several years, she returned home to help her parents on the farm. She enjoyed going to dances, performing at concerts and having roles in plays. On June 15, 1935, she married Michael Sheeshka, son of George and Justina (nee Zenchyshen) Sheeshka, at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Olha. They settled on a farm in Olha. Life on the farm was difficult and very hard work as there were no modern conveniences and luxuries as we have today. Mom spent many hours working with dad in the fields and then coming home in the evenings to fix meals, milk the cows, and feed the farm animals. At harvest time meals and lunches had to be prepared for the men working in the fields hauling sheaves to the threshing machine. As farming advanced with machinery, mom hauled grain and later operated the combine. In 1947, mom and dad sold their farm at Olha and purchased land from Joe and Fred Michalyshyn. In the fall of 1959 they moved into Oakburn and continued farming until dad’s retirement in 1971. Mom was a very faithful member of the Oakburn Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Oakburn UCWLC. She always gave a helping hand during Church and UCWLC events – (bake sales, fowl suppers, preparing food for Church functions, etc.) She never refused to give a helping hand to her neighbors and friends. Mom loved picking mushrooms, raspberries (enjoyed when Jessie Drul helped to pick raspberries), gardening, planting flowers, cooking, canning, knitting, quilting, making hooked rugs, playing cards and bingo. She was a great seamstress and made her own patterns for sewing clothes and vinyl Ukrainian boots for the Oakburn Ukrainian Teren Dancers. She cross-stitched tablecloths, cushions, Easter basket covers, crosses, Ukrainian shirts and blouses. A very talented lady! Indeed! The only summer vacation mom had in her lifetime was a train trip to Vancouver to visit dad’s brother. She was thrilled and enjoyed the beautiful flowers in the gardens and parks. Mom was saddened when her neighbor Ksenia Yanick passed away. They visited each other several times a week. After Ksenia’s death, Eugene (Ksenia’s son) checked on mom every time he went past her house. Mom was proud of her family and took great interest in their lives. She did a lot of babysitting with her grandchildren, especially her grandson David Sheeshka. Unfortunately, due to her failing eyesight she was unable to see pictures of her great, great, grandchildren – twins -Gemini and Willow Dean and Lillie Nowosad nor David’s fiancé Jennifer Griffin and daughter Kiera Griffin. Mom remained in her own home until 2009. At the age of 95 she moved to the Shoal Lake Morley Home. Two years later she had her right leg amputated and was confined to a wheelchair. Caroline was predeceased by her husband Michael in 1991, parents and parents- in-law, sister Anne & brother- in-law Anthony Weselak, brother Michael and sister- in-law Mary Borodie, brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law Steve & Anne Antonation, Steve & Teenie Matiowsky, John & Berta Sheeshka. She leaves to cherish her loving memory daughter Sonia, son-in-law Tony Nowosad, and son Myrcel, daughter-in-law Shirley Sheeshka. Four grandchildren - granddaughter Pamela Nowosad Douthwright, grandson Clarence Nowosad (partner Valerie Ilnyski), grandson Stewart (Lynne) Nowosad, grandson David Sheeshka (fiance Jennifer Griffin). Great grandchildren - Cody Nowosad, Briel Douthwright (partner Devin Sheparski), Nathan, Jayden and Nicholas Nowosad. Great, great grandchildren- Willow & Gemini Dean and Lillie Nowosad (Cody’s daughter). One step great granddaughter Kiera Griffin and many nieces and nephews. Pamela was unable to attend mom’s funeral. She was mom’s first grandchild. Pamela was very thankful Mom taught her how to do Ukrainian cross-stitching, pysanky, crocheting, making a kolach and many other Ukrainian Cultural Crafts. After Pamela moved to Thunder Bay she always asked how mom was doing, sent Christmas cards and phoned to wish mom “Happy Birthday!” Pamela said, “I could never forget Baba’s birthday. She was born on Ground Hog Day”. Pamela loved mom very much and will miss her dearly. David was mom’s second grandchild. He spent the most time with her as mom babysat David while Shirley taught school in Sandy Lake. Mom kept chickens in town and David remembers letting them out of the pen. There was quite a commotion when mom realized the chickens were on the lawn. David thought it was a lot of fun trying to get the chickens back in the pen. Mom, on the other hand, was not having fun! When David started school, mom would pick him up for lunch. Perogies were his favorite. When mom’s eyesight was failing and David would come to visit her, he would knock on the door and say, “Hello Baba. To yah (It’s me) David.” Mom was very greatful and happy to have visits from David. Panakhyda was held on Friday, December 12, 2014, 8:00 pm from Rae’s Funeral Chapel, Shoal Lake and the funeral service on Saturday, December 13, 2014, 10:30 pm from Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Oakburn, with Fr. Mykhaylo Khomitskyy officiating. Interment followed at the Oakburn Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. A hot meal was held at Oakburn Community Hall. Pallbearers were grandsons David Sheeshka, Clarence Nowosad, Stewart Nowosad; nephew Barry Sheeshka, Godson Dennis Sheeshka and Myrcel’s nephew Braden Drul. Crossbearer: Great grandson Nathan Nowosad. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Oakburn Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery Fund, c/o Sylvia Shwaluk, Box 23, Vista, Mb. R0J 2E0, or Shoal Lake Morley Personal Care Home, Box 490, Shoal Lake, MB, R0J 1Z0.Remembrances and condolences may be emailed to: raesfs@mymts.netMom was a strong, generous and loving person. She will be remembered fondly and lovingly and will be forever in our hearts, never forgotten.Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.Rest in peace dearest mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great, grandmother.Vichnaya Pam’yat – Memory EternalRae’s Funeral Service of Shoal Lake were in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 20, 2014