Lena Kalyniak

With heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing, on January 9th 2022, of Lena Kalyniak – sister, wife, mother and grandmother - into God's warm embrace.

Lena was the eldest daughter of Albert and Mary Mushumanski, born at home on August 21, 1928 in the RM of Boulton.  Lena had four younger siblings.  Albert (Bert) who passed as an infant, Helen, Wanda and Adeline.   Being the eldest child, Lena was always in charge of her younger sisters.  Even after marriage, she kept her sisters employed and out of trouble having them wash dishes for her in her home.

Lena attended Balfour school and, after completing school, worked for several different farming families, including her mom and dad.  For a change of pace she also worked part time in Russell doing what she was great at - cooking.

Lena married William (Bill) Kalyniak on June 3,1950.  His proposal was difficult to decline, as it was "would you cook and clean for me for the rest of my life?"  Lena felt sorry for him, after all, he had just burned the gravy he had been making.

They lived on Bill's family farm until they had their own home, built a year later, in the RM of Silver Creek.  It was hard work, but they had many laughs, especially having play fights while milking cows.

After nine years they felt they had established their farm enough to begin a family.  Their first child, a son, Larry William was followed by a daughter Mary-Ann, and then another daughter Diane. 

Lena was not only a wonderful mother, but was a referee in the household, keeping not only the kids, but Bill in line.  Many water fights between Bill and the kids were broken up by Lena, making us "take it outside or you will be cleaning it up!"

Lena was Bill's partner on the farm.  Driving the grain truck and unloading grain during harvest, being sure everyone was well fed, doing chores, milking cows, selling cream and eggs, tending the garden, taking lunch to the field and keeping us all safe (even when, as toddlers, we kept "running away").  It was amazing she had enough hours in the day to do everything. 

Lena's Catholic faith was very important to her, and she shared this faith with her family.   Even with all her duties on the farm, she made time on Sundays to renew her faith with God.  She enjoyed singing in the choir and was active with the Ladies Auxiliary. While bingo was still a part of St Mary's activities, she participated by not only helping to organize snacks but playing, and winning, at bingo!

Lena's life wasn't all work. She enjoyed fishing and golfing with Bill and close friends.  Together with Bill she took many trips to the USA, either by car or bus tour.  They attended the 'Passion Play' in South Dakota on two separate occasions, drove west to Alberta and B.C. many times, with relatives, returning with boxes of fresh fruit for eating and preserving. She loved playing cards with family and friends and, when playing for money, somehow she always won! 

For their 50th wedding anniversary, Lena and Bill were treated to a European cruise. The entire trip was an adventure of ‘firsts’ for them! Their first time traveling on a plane from Winnipeg to Toronto, then onto Amsterdam and Athens Greece.  Their first cruise, boarding a massive cruise ship where they spent their days cruising the Mediterranean Islands of Greece, touring the sites in Turkey and finally visiting their ancestors' home land of the Ukraine. 

In their senior years, as both Lena and Bill began to slow down, she spent time tending to her garden, cooking and baking.  They both continued to socialize with friends and family, playing card games or just visiting.   Later, Lena selflessly cared for Bill in their home until this last year when a life well lived finally began to take its toll.  

Lena was predeceased by her younger brother Bert (Albert), father Albert Mushumanski, and mother Mary (Ushey) Mushumanski.

Lena is survived by her husband William (Bill), children Larry (Pamela McFarlane), Mary-Ann (Yvan Blanchette), Diane, and grandson Jeffrey.   She is also survived by her sisters Helen Yankoski, Wanda Michalchuk and Adeline (Paul) Carbotte, as well as her many nieces and nephews. 

God looked around his garden

and found and empty place

He then looked down upon the earth

and saw your tired face

He put his arms around you

and lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering

He knew you were in pain

He knew that you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb

So he closed your weary eyelids

and said "Peace be thine"

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn't go alone

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.