LENA WORONIUK (nee Horodyski)
July 23, 1936 – February 13, 2016

It is with utmost regret and sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lena Woroniuk, after a brief battle with cancer.
Mom (known to many as Baba) was born on Thursday, July 23, 1936, on the family farm in Kalyna, Saskatchewan, to her parents, Frank and Mary Horodyski. She was the middle child of five. Mom was a rambunctious young girl, seemingly following in a tomboy’s role. As many children did in those days she helped her parents at the farm. She used to share with us many stories of which we will continue to pass on lovingly from generation to generation. Mom was very proud of being a ball player, and when she had grandchildren and great-grandchildren follow in “her” footsteps she was ecstatic! She played with the Kalyna Clippers, where she started to date our father, Michael Woroniuk. They were married on November 2, 1952, at St. George’s Anglican Church. Mom happily told many people that she was a member of her parish for almost 64 years.
Two children were born to Mom and Dad, Sharon and Brian. Mom liked to be involved with our activities and events, following us all over the province and out of province as need be. Unfortunately, dad suddenly passed away in 1979, so Mom became a widow at a very young age. We have many fond memories of camping with our parents, a bit of travelling, fishing, wiener roasts at the farm and ball games, as well as sing-a-longs, dances, and card games. Despite Mom and Dad marrying at the Anglican Church, we, as children, were expected to learn our Ukrainian heritage and cultures.
Mom was a stay-at-home parent until Brian started school, then began her working career. Mom worked at Johnny’s Igloo, IGA Lunch Bar, Kresge’s, and Eatons for 27 years, and then finished her career at Canadian Tire, where she was employed for 26 years, until age 70!
Mom was so proud of her children, but when the four grandchildren started to arrive, she was ecstatic. She enjoyed playing mini sticks with her grandsons and dolls and picnics with the girls. Mom enjoyed her eight great-grandchildren so very much as well, and had nicknames for each of them. Mom attended many dance recitals, hockey games, ball games, school concerts, music recitals, ball hockey, soccer, and other events over the years, to show her support and love.
Mom was an avid Prince Albert Raider fan since they started in Prince Albert, over 45 years. She attended almost every game (several out of town as well) and keeping score until November of 2015. She was a billet for 10 years and a volunteer until 5 years ago. She was also a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Mom would like everyone to wear green to her service to pay tribute to her support for the Raiders and the Riders! Go Raiders and Riders, Go!
Mom has had to endure several health problems over the years, but she used to say that each one brought her closer to her Lord and made her stronger.
Mom was involved in her church, being a member of Vestry for many years, ACW, and the fund raising committee. She was a Rebekah for 17 years and was so proud when she received her 15 year pin. She held many offices in Rebekahs, both in her home Lodge as well as in the district. She was an officer several times provincially, and was over the moon when asked to be a courtesy officer for the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Mom loved to travel and with her quick wit she made many acquaintances on her trips. She was so happy to share with others that she had travelled in Canada from B.C. to Ontario and in the States from California to North Carolina and many states in between.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Mike, in 1979, her parents, Frank and Mary Horodyski, her in-laws, Theodore and Lena Woroniuk, her god-parents, Tillie Moskaluk and Phillip Korycki, as well as numerous other family members and friends.
Mom is survived by her children, Sharon Chesley of Prince Albert and Brian Woroniuk of Saskatoon,her grandchildren, Michael Woroniuk (Lorena Willness) of Prince Albert, Allyssha Ernst of Prince Albert, Kayla Pilon (Mike) of Saskatoon and Trevor Chesley (Danée Burnie) of Prince Albert, eight great-grandchildren, Kyrah Ernst, Ava Woroniuk, Aiden Woroniuk, Layne Ernst, Madyson Pilon, Shiylee Chesley, Ty Woroniuk and Nicholas Pilon, and her siblings, Victoria Packham (Vern, deceased) of Swift Current, Rose Juravinski (Emil) of Prince Albert, Edward Horodyski of rural Prince Albert and Helen Adamko (Ed, deceased) of rural Prince Albert.
Mom’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at St. George’s Anglican Church, 1104 4th Street East, Prince Albert, Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin officiating. In lieu of flowers, she would appreciate donations to the Palliative Care Unit, Level 5, Victoria Hospital, in care of the Victoria Hospital Foundation, 1200 24th Street West, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, S6V 4B2, the A.C.W. Paint Our Church project, in care of Lady Paul, ACW, 1104 4th Street East, Prince Albert, S6V 0L2, or the Saskatchewan Visual Eye Research Foundation, in care of the Rebekah Assembly of Saskatchewan, 202 Westpointe Estates, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4Y 1A4. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to River Park Memorial Chapel, Prince Albert, Paula Hanson, Funeral Director.