TARASEWICH, Wendy
April 8, 1941 — December 15, 2022
With profound sadness and with extreme broken hearts we are announcing the passing of our Mother Wendy Lane Tarasewich on December 15, 2022, just 17 days after losing our father Edward Anthony Tarasewich. We are still in shock and are trying to find the strength to hold our shattered hearts together. Our Mum sadly passed away after enduring a year long battle with cancer, the way she was hoping to, with the love from us kids in the comfort of her own home.
Mum was born on April 8, 1941, at Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna, BC to parents Frank and Donna Curtis. She had her older siblings Ted and Ken ready to greet her, and a few years later after her birth, Gary was born.
Mum grew up with her three brothers on a expansive farm that stretched the north west side of highway 97 at Reid’s Corner as far north as where the Industrial Airport development is today and west across to where Robert Lake and Curtis Roads are located in North Glenmore. Mill creek meandered throughout the property and willow trees strategically placed themselves all along it not far from the house and barns. From cattle, Clydesdale horses, and pigs etc., to rotating field crops, they were salt of the earth people who worked so hard over the years. Everyday Mum and her brothers walked the distance to and from school in Rutland in their growing up years, trying never to complain as their parents were busy with the farm and they knew better than to whine.
After graduation, Mum met a local North Glenmore gentleman named Ed Tarasewich in 1960. They were married a year later which was the start of a 61 ½-year love story full of adventure and great memories. Mum and Dad built a great life together, always working and building towards a wonderful future. Not long after they were married the family grew with the three of us kids, Mark, Terry and Wanda. Between running several orchards and a sawmill business in Oyama our parents were extremely busy and hardly ever took time off to enjoy the fruits of their labour. It was hard on Mum as she was not blessed with great health specifically being diagnosed with Alports Kidney Disease just prior to her and dad being married. Mum never ever complained about life or her health condition and although she was told by her doctors not to have any children at all, she persevered and proved them wrong. By the time us kids were grown up, Mum’s health deteriorated, and she needed dialysis and a kidney transplant. She was so fortunate about a year later in 1999 to be given a second chance at life with a donated kidney at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Mum never took this for granted and was always grateful for the care of the Transplant Clinic and all her doctors. Right up to the minute Mum passed away her “donor” kidney was functioning still perfectly.
Throughout the years Mum exceeded at looking after all of us kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren with her amazing cooking, gardening and above all her love. Mum loved family gatherings, family was everything to her whether it was her own brothers and their families, her children, grand and great-grandchildren. She was the most giving, kind and supportive lady who would make dishes of food for a sick neighbour, family member or anyone who needed it. Mum’s freezers were filled to the brim with pies, perogies, cabbage rolls, homemade hamburger roll, and the absolute best gum drop chocolate chip cookies on the planet. She always knew how to win over our Dad’s and our hearts with her tender loving care and attention.
Mum always put everyone else first and sacrificed so much over the years but she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The last few years of caring for Dad and his Parkinson’s Disease was very difficult for her and it took a toll on her health. Mum was diagnosed with esophageal cancer just over a year ago and although she responded well to the radiation treatments, her cancer grew in other areas and her body grew too weak to fight it. A tremendous loss for our family as Mum was our Matriarch and Queen who deserved nothing but the best the world could give her. Heaven has received a new Angel and although we couldn’t keep her longer, we know she is there with Dad and so many other special people bestowing her love on them. Our hearts as a family will be forever broken without Mum but knowing that because Dad went to heaven 17 days before, Mum had to go and join him because after all they were soul mates.
Forever loved and cherished by children Mark (Inge), Terry (Kim), Wanda Roberts (Todd); grandchildren Dean (Mikayla), Cody (Katie), Tyler (Serena), Meagan, Lauren and Lucas. Lastly missing her are her sweet great-grandchildren Ark and little Emmett.
“If flowers grow in heaven,
Lord, then pick a bunch for me.
Then place them in my Mother’s arms
and tell her they’re from me.
Tell her that I love and miss her
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.”
We will miss you so terribly much, Mum. Fly high with the Angels, we will be looking for your bright light to guide us until we can meet again….
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, or The Kidney Foundation of Canada. It would also be so meaningful to Mum if anyone would consider registering to be an organ donor to save someone else’s life.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
April 8 1941 — December 15 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de TARASEWICH Wendy April 8 1941 — December 15 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville:Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique