Florence Mae Kowalchuk
Passed in: Whitney Pier
Passed on: September 21st, 2015
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of 'our Baba', Florence Mae Kowalchuk, a truly remarkable woman, the rock of our family on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015.
Florence was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a truly good friend to many.
For the past year, she fought a courageous battle with cancer, dealing with one illness after another, fighting death until the end, always wanting to live to see another grandchild graduate and was graceful and grateful throughout all her pain and suffering.
Her strong belief in God kept her going, always saying, “God is good.” Florence’s life revolved around her family, church and prayer. For many years, she was president of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s Club and chairwoman of the Bingo Committee. In her earlier years, she worked for the Canadian Red Cross as a personal care worker. Education was very important to Florence and she encouraged her children and grandchildren to keep learning. She, herself, took many night school courses from sewing and ceramics to woodworking and upholstery. Music was a big part of her life, as were family gatherings. Her love of family was her whole reason for being and her message was always to look after each other and everything will be alright.
Florence was the last surviving member of her immediate family, being predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Florence (Sutherland) Johnston, six brothers and five sisters. She is now reunited with her husband, Michael Kowalchuk in God’s heaven above, so that they can both watch out for their family on earth.
Florence is survived by her sons, Steve (Susan), Maurice, Billy (Doreen) and Walter (Paula) and daughters, Rose (Warren) Burke and Margie LeVatte. Also left to mourn are her grandchildren, Allan, Matthew, Warren (Stephanie), Wyatt ( Kelsey), Stephanie (Rod), Kristina (Greg), Michael (Amanda), Robert (Shannon), Jillian (Johnathon), Harry and Nadia and great-grandchildren, Chloe and Colton. Also surviving are her sisters and brothers-in-law, Fred Canam, Peter and Anne Mombourquette, Maurice and Jessie Kowal, Murray Flemming and Norma Larade; many nieces and nephews; and special niece, Mickey Kokocki, who she thought of as a sister.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with Panachyda held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church on Friday 10 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Roman Dusanowskyj officiating. Interment in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Church and Cape Breton Regional Hospital Patients Care Fund.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still,
In our hearts you hold a place
That no one could ever fill.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
