PAWLYSHYN, Irene Mary –
We are heartbroken to announce that our Mom, our hero, Irene Pawlyshyn, was called by God, peacefully at home with her loving family at her side on May 8, 2021. Our mom represented all things LOVE. We are so thankful we were blessed to have her for the time and moments we did! We will love you forever Mom. You are always with us! Mom is survived by Tom, her loving husband of almost 60 years. Her devoted children Lynn, Marc and Kim (Mark) and her beloved grandchildren Adam, Connor, Michael, Olivia and Luke.
It has been said that you will be remembered for what you do for others, and Irene Pawlyshyn will be remembered forever! She left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Our Mom was one of a kind! She will be remembered as a symbol of being a kind, loving and generous individual and will be sadly missed by her family and her many lifelong friends. Her loss is deeply grieved but her strength of character, indomitable outlook for those less fortunate and immense capacity for love will remain with us. She will also be remembered for her generous spirit and her unwavering zest for life. Our Mom had an innate ability to put everyone she met at ease, often with a smile and the right compliment. In essence she was a remarkable woman with a heart of gold who lived 83 years at her own pace.
She was always a lady! Our Dad, Tom would share, “Irene always said yes, not ya.” She always had a smile and was so incredibly generous with her time. She impacted anyone that has met her. Her smile, stories, jokes and laughter! I’ve seen it all! A warm and gracious fixture, Irene made everyone she met feel special! She was a role model to us and so many others!
Irene had a keen sense of adventure, fashion and an early love of travel. She was one of 2 children of Mary and Nick Servetnyk. At 14 she left for Toronto with her older brother Robert and her family. Where a few short years later she left home and moved into a rooming house with her cousin Ann Fedora. She stretched, challenged and pushed herself to be self-sufficient and was determined to set her own rules for life! Although she had many male admirers and suitors, she waited for what she wanted in a mate. Although often referred to as a “baba”, by her mother and grandmother, she held out until almost her mid-twenties, when she met the love of her life, her husband, Thomas Pawlyshyn. She was a loving and devoted wife of our Dad for almost 60 years.
She had nothing but hopes and dreams for what lay ahead in starting her new life together with Tom. Scared and excited but welcomed with open arms by the endless possibilities. We, her family would feel blessed over the years by her courage and the loving home she built for all of us.
She had 3 children, Lynn Christine, Marc David and Kim Marie. Time with her family brought her immense joy! For us, her children, she was our guiding moral compass! She guided, protected and led our family every day, every step of the way!
Irene was the matriarch of her family. She had the unique ability to make every family gathering better, without ever being the centre of attention. She could discuss polarizing issues without it turning into a debate! And as always, was the one to ensure “cooler heads” prevailed. Our mom had a tremendous impact on her family and her beloved friends. She will be thoughtfully remembered enjoying a gin gimlet, or a pitcher of martinis with Tom, combined with a home cooked meal with a smile that simply lit up the room.
Irene was a devoted parishioner and volunteer of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church. Perhaps her love for life and avid interest in people came from her faith in her church. This is where mom shined best, making jams, pierogis, and cabbage rolls, selling raffle tickets for her Ministry. Helping to decorate the church for Christmas and Easter celebrations!
She will be thought of fondly for her love of baking, especially her “Passover” cheesecake, a protected recipe to this day, her Christmas cookies, but definitely NOT her pancakes! They were absolutely awful! Sorry Mom! She was also passionate about bowling and gardening, particularly her red roses!
She was always « there » for family and friends. Her spirit and enthusiasm were contagious! She lived her later years caring for her mother, the late Mary Fernick and her late Aunt Lilian Kopak.
We suspect the poet Rudyard Kipling had individuals in mind like our Mom when he wrote:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you”…
“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew…
To serve your turn long after they are gone”…
“If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue… Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch”… “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run… “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”
As explained to her 8 year old grandson, that his grandma was ill, and one day she would be in a better place, he asked if she was all alone? A gentle response that she would be with her wonderful brother Robert who passed a year ago around this time, her mother Mary who unfortunately left us 15 years ago, and her father Nick, who she hasn’t seen since she was 6!
So Mom, we will keep being kind knowing you are with us, grab the occasional cup of coffee as we always loved to do and hope in some small way we all made you proud. You were and will always be the Woman of Grace we all wish we could be. We miss you and will always cherish the moments we spent together.
We all Love you Mom!
Private funeral arrangements due to Covid-19 restrictions. Webcast funeral will take place on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 10:30a.m.
Webcast and online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com
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Saturday May 8th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Irene Mary Pawlyshyn Saturday May 8th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Toronto, Province: Ontario