CHMELYK, Mary
April 8, 1929 — August 18, 2020
It is with heavy hearts, and profound sadness that the family of Mary Chmelyk announce her passing at the age of 91 years on Aug 18, 2020, at 12 pm. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to many who knew her. Born in Beverly, Alberta, she was 1 of 5 children to Tillie and Peter Yuzwenko. She met and married her soulmate Nicholas Chmelyk on Oct 11, 1947, in Mundare, Alberta. Together through the years, they had established successful Groceries grocery stores throughout Alberta with their first Grocery Store “Nick’s Grocery” in Jasper, Alberta. After selling that business 4 years later, they purchased their first home and started to raise a family. In 1959, they moved to Westbank (West Kelowna) with at that time their 3 young children and purchased The Bride Motel. They had 2 motels when they bought the business and, in 1969, they renovated and added 6 more motels, they also added a coffee shop, grocery store, Shell gas station, and it had a service bay and also a seasonal fruit stand. It was known then as Lakeview Shell and Bridge Motel. They were well known in the community, established many relationships and were well-loved by everyone from customer’s, to suppliers, to strangers. Both Nick and Mary volunteered 10 years of service to Lakeview Heights’ first volunteered fire department. They had one last child in 1970 completing their family with 2 boys and 2 girls. Sadly in 1972, Mom suddenly lost her best friend and soulmate Nick Chmelyk at the age of 53. She sold the property in 1973 and moved to Rutland where she lived for many years, becoming a well known icon in the area until moving to West Kelowna. She again established relationships and made friends with everyone she came in contact with. On Sept 8, 2011, she lost her first child Robert Chmelyk to cancer. She lived in Westbank until she moved to The Good Samaritian Mountainview Village July 2017 where she needed extra care due to her progression of dementia. Special thanks to the continuing and palliative care staff at The Good Samaritian Mountainview Village and to the wonderful nurses that loved and took care of mom so well on a daily basis. They even called her “Baba” (grandma in Ukraine) which she loved.
Mom had a wonderful personality, she was sarcastic and cheeky in her little way. She would light up a room when she walked in and had you laughing so hard when she left. Whenever you mentioned Mary Chmelyk everyone had always something kind, loving, caring, funny, and positive to say about her. She was always there with open arms to help you when you needed it and never asked for anything in return. This world will be a different place without her, but heaven gained a special angel.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Nicholas (d.1972), her eldest son Robert (d. 2011). She is survived by her daughter Diane Abougoush (Husni); her son Ronald Chmelyk (Terrie-Lynn); and daughter Judy Sampson (Martin); along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There will be a Prayer Service at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at 7:00 pm. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the number of attendees will be limited if you wish to attend please click here to sign up. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by livestream. (click link below)
A Graveside Service at 11:30 am on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, 1991 Bernard Ave. Please click here to sign up.
In accordance with Mary wishes, there will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s memory to the BC Alzheimer’s/Dementia Society, alzheimer.ca.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
You are now at peace mom, we love and miss you always and forever.
THIS SERVICE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED/BROADCAST ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020, AT 7:00 PM
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de CHMELYK Mary April 8 1929 — August 18 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique