Nellie’s Obituary
When I used to go to a funeral to pay my respects I maybe didn’t listen to closely to the priest and what he was saying, but I always leaned a little closer when the eulogy was read. Even though I thought I had known that person, I always enjoyed hearing their story and most of the time I learnt a little more about them.
So here is just a little about our mom……
Our mom, Nellie, was born of Ukrainian descendants on July 17, 1925 in Pleasantdale, Saskatchewan, to John and Tasia Fidyk. Or as mom pronounced Tarisha. (You have to roll the r when you pronounce it. A Ukrainian thing I guess) Three of her siblings were born in Austria (the old country as mom would say.) She was the youngest of eight. Three brothers and four sisters. Although mom would have never said it, I think her one brother Steve was her favorite as she kept a picture of him on the wall and there were never any of the others on her wall, but they all had a place in the photo albums.
Mom’s parents were farmers in Saskatchewan, so this is where she grew up and went to school. She completed her grade nine, which I always found hilarious as dad had only completed grade 8. Now all of you who knew our dad, it was hard to get one up on him but good on mom, as she was from the beginning, one up on him. After mom finished school she worked cleaning houses and watching other children as farm families in
her community needed.
Mom and dad were married November 2, 1943. Mom was never really much one for talking, dad seemed to take care of that end. So I used to ask mom a lot about her growing up and how she met dad and their first years together. I kind of would ask her throughout the years, trying to get a little more out of her each time. I’m not sure why, but I’m thinking she was reminiscing of some very fond memories. As she would always giggle every time I asked and then tell me a little bit more. She had told me a story when dad had built their first home. Dad installed the one new window that they could afford at the time. Then off to work on the fields. So mom was hauling in wood for the stove and apparently one piece of wood got away from her and smashed out the newly installed window. Mom said she was so scared to tell daddy but she knew she wouldn’t be able to hide the broken window. She said when dad came back she met him outside crying and told him. She said he didn’t say a word just looked at the window and left. She cried until he returned. He had a new window in hand, replaced it and walked into the house and asked her why she was still crying. She said well I told you about the broken window and you just walked out on me. And dads reply was, well I looked at the time and the store was closing, I didn’t have time to cry over a broken window.
They farmed in Saskatchewan until 1948 when they moved up to this country. Poor mom I can’t imagine moving up here away from family and what she knew with two small children. I remember in later years asking mom why they had moved from Saskatchewan to here and if she was scared to move away from her family and she had told me, well daddy had a plan and I just went along with it. And she giggled. They had been living around Smith’s Mill when they first came up here. Mom even helped cook at the mill in the early years with two babies in tote. Later they moved into the Town of Dixonville for a few years then ½ mile west where they built their forever home. I remember asking mom, oh how exciting it must have been to plan and build their home. Which again, while giggling mom replied, well I got to pick out the paint colors. Our dad worked out a lot in the “bush” and so he always left mom with chickens, a milk cow and a couple of pigs to raise along with her vegetable and flower gardens, which no doubt kept her busy and oh yes all those children to raise! But yes mom you did it. You did it all and never
complained. She worked from the time she woke up to the time she went to bed and sometimes getting up in the middle of the night to tend to one of us. She enjoyed her bingos and weekly card games. She always enjoyed a family gathering, sometimes with no notice, but somehow she always had a meal ready, cleaned up, played games with us, and joined in on the singing.
With dad, mom enjoyed camping and fishing. Together they traveled to visit their children near and far, and always a card game was fit into the visits. She also took a trip with her sister Mary in the late 70’s to St. Louis, Missouri. First flight ever, to see her oldest sister Anna.
Mom and dad celebrated their 25th and 50th both in the Dixonville Hall. Mom kept in contact with all of our relatives, writing many a letters and received many letters from both sides of our family.
When dad passed in 1996, mom moved into Grimshaw. Where now she did not miss a single bingo, or a sale at the stores. Mom enjoyed shopping, she had moved into a three bedroom house and all the closets were full of purses, shoes and coats. Later, mom moved into the Grimshaw senior’s apartments, where she had many friends and her door was always open. Still walking to bingos and sales!
Mom eventually moved to Stonebrook due to her dementia. She also knew that she was forgetting but would always say “well I’m getting old you would forget too”. She loved to sing. When there was nothing left to talk about we would just sing. Odd thing about mom’s dementia, she sometimes would forget our names, but never did she forget the words to the songs she sang. Mom never drank or smoked, and never did we hear her curse. We’ve concluded dad pretty much took care of that.
Our mom raised us all with a soft voice and hand. She showed us compassion and unconditional love. Taught us right from wrong and was always there for us. We all have something mom crocheted, knitted, quilted or needle pointed, be it our very own or something for her grandchildren. I had always thought of mom as a shy quiet woman, always listening but never giving her opinion or thoughts.
Mom was the last of hers siblings to pass. She leaves to mourn her children, Christina (Hussain Biati), Ken (Linda Flett), Gladys (Steve Davidson), Barbara (Batyski), Jeanette (Rick Proskurniak); grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren (making this five generations.)
Predeceased by her parents, John and Tashia Fidyk; sisters, Anna Zych, Laura Hoffman, Rosie Holder, Mary Green; brothers, Steve, George, and Mike. Her husband, Mike; sons, Richard, Christopher, and Garry.
Oh dear mom, you have had one awesome journey, from July 17, 1925 to November 8, 2020. We are all so blessed that you were our mom and that we got to share in that journey with you.
Nellie’s family would like to extend an open invitation to all who wish to attend her Graveside Service at Central Grove Cemetery in Dixonville on Monday, November 16, at 11:00 AM. The Service will also be livestreamed through Chapel of Memories Facebook page.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Nellie Bunnah July 17 1925 November 8 2020..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Peace River, Province: Alberta