Obituary for Pearl Ann Fedoronchuk (Shipston)
PEARL ANN FEDORONCHUK
MAY 10 1938 – MAY 23 2020
We, the family of Pearl Fedoronchuk, announce with deepest sorrow her sudden and unexpected passing on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Pearl was predeceased by her parents Leslie and Dolly, brothers Eric, Gerald, Stan and Tony, sisters-in-law Annie, Gwen, June, Flo and Helen, and in 1972 her first husband Ed Hordy. In January 2019, she lost her loving husband Walter. She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Lynn(Michael), Terry(Glenn)and Lesley (John). Also her grandchildren Evan, Bailey, Jordan, Jennifer, and Stephen, brothers Leslie(Hazel) and Don(Mary), and many cherished nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Born in London England, Pearl was not only the youngest in the family, but the only sister to six older brothers. As a result of that, she grew up knowing how to stand up for herself, as she was the target of much good natured brotherly kidding. Even though Pearl was very young she clearly remembered the war years in London, spending hours in the air raid shelters, playing in bombed out streets, and enjoying a short evacuation to the seaside with brother Leslie. But she was never afraid, “being so young” she said “this was all she knew at the time, and it seemed perfectly normal and nothing to fear.” Pearl also considered herself very lucky as when each of her older brothers married, she gained a new big sister, and a deep bond was formed with each sister-in-law for the rest of her life.
Later, after the war, four of Pearl’s brothers moved from London to Thunder Bay, Ontario and as soon as she was 18, Pearl joined them. Her brother Eric introduced her to his friend Eddie, who became her first true love and husband. They started their family with daughter Lynn, and together their greatest joy was to spend weekends and holidays at the lake, and host parties for family and friends. Pearl took accounting at night school and worked at the School Board, Firestone and finally Canada Revenue. Sadly, after 14 wonderful years of marriage, Ed passed away from a long term illness, and Pearl, a young widow, set about the business of continuing life for herself and daughter. After a time, Pearl was able to begin pursuing an interest in travel, and while on a trip to Hawaii met a fellow traveller, Wally, and Pearl found herself incredibly fortunate to have met her second true love. Pearl and Wally married in 1974 and after residing in Thunder Bay for a short time, moved to Winnipeg. It was on a Sunday drive in the Whiteshell area that they happened on a little town called Pinawa. It was love at first sight and they happily settled in their “forever home”.
Pearl worked at Canada Revenue until she retired. As a group manager she cared greatly for the individuals under her supervision, wanting them to flourish thus her hope was to facilitate their success, encouraging them to learn and take more and more responsibility. Pearl always wanted the best for everyone.
There is no way to describe in so short a piece her intelligence, incredible energy, wit, and zest for living. She complained very little, always finding a way to make things work. Any problem had a solution. Many friends were embraced as family, and few know of the great generosity she had quietly shown to many, as her openheartedness was second nature and something she never considered unusual.
Pearl and Walter shared an entrepreneurial spirit and an ongoing love of travel. Together they ran several businesses and began their world wide travels with numerous adventures in Australia, New Zealand, England, Japan, Hong Kong, and Alaska to name a few, as well as a grand year long trek through Europe and parts of the Middle East, the entire time living and travelling in a van they converted themselves. They travelled extensively across Canada, visiting family that was so important to them both, and trying to never miss a niece or nephews wedding, no matter how far away.
It was in Pinawa that Pearl’s love of gardening became a true passion. She invested many hours in her backyard, turning it into a welcoming paradise. Everyone was greeted with the familiar phrase “Come see the garden” and many left with a bounty of the beautiful raspberries and veggies she grew and was delighted to share.
Tai chi and line dancing were also activities Pearl was passionate about and excelled at. She loved to share her knowledge by volunteering to teach classes in Texas and the Pinawa region for many years. Pearl was proud to be voted “Winter Texan of the Year” in Port Aransas for the many classes she volunteered to teach at the community centre and the work she did at the local library.
Pearl was also a “Master” knitter, gracing each new generation of her family and friends with baby outfits and blankets, and for the adults, sweaters, afghans, hat and scarf sets, slippers, and even thick winter socks, hand knitted with the love she had for us all. In later years she also joined volunteer knitting organizations which made hats, scarves, and blankets for various charities.
Pearl and Wally were both extraordinarily hospitable individuals, but as a combined force, their generosity knew no bounds. They loved entertaining and hosting parties that often lasted the whole weekend. Pearl planned every detail, her famous lists a tribute to her enviable organizational skills. Friends and family enjoyed many happy times at these parties and the house, garden and the ever popular breezeway were filled with laughter. When Pearl and Wally began spending winters in Texas, they threw their annual “Christmas in October” parties at CanadInns for friends and family, a huge event with Santa Claus (aka Wally) handing out gifts to one and all. Years later, the Christmas in October parties were smaller weekend long affairs for immediate family, but no less elaborate as Pearl loved to cook for her family, and creating and giving elaborate Christmas parcels was a great joy. “Christmas in October” is going to be terribly missed for it was one of the ways Pearl and Wally showed their family how much they loved us being all together. The Pinawa Birthday weekend was another opportunity for Pearl and Wally to host an event for family, and it was a much anticipated yearly event for all.
Pearl’s other great passion in life was spending Pinawa summers on the waters of the Winnipeg River with Wally, exploring the Whiteshell, sailing and fishing. They loved to take visitors and especially their grandchildren for afternoon fishing trips.
After retiring, winters were always spent in Texas, and their southern home became as important to them as their beloved Pinawa. They looked forward to joining their many friends, and loved when family came south to visit. There was a deep sense of sadness when those days changed as Wally’s health declined. They had many wonderful trips over the years, all around the world, and many lifelong friendships originated through their travels.
In the last year after Wally’s passing, Pearl’s life was quiet and happy. Pearl and Wally had an incredible life together, they worked hard in order to live their dreams, and Pearl was now content to be in the home and town she loved, although the travel bug doesn’t rest easily and she still spoke of the possibility of traveling south!
She remarked that she felt Wally’s spirit with her in every space in their home and that gave her peace and comfort. She enjoyed lunch with her friends at the Pinawa Seniors Meal program, loved attending the EMCA concerts with her good friend, going for walks, working hard in her garden after a long winter, curling up on her sofa to relax enjoying her movies and shows on Netflix, and most importantly keeping in touch with family and distant friends through her computer. She always signed emails to family Mum/Pearl/Nan and Dad/Wally/Grandpa, it was so important to be sure everyone was included. It is impossible to say how much she cared for and appreciated her friends and neighbours in Pinawa and how fortunate she felt to live there. The only thing Pearl wanted for was a small dog or cat to share her home and life with, she still missed Puffins their cat very much.
We have been blessed to have had Mum/Pearl/Nan in our lives. She was funny, outspoken, strong-willed, generous, warm, kind and loving. We really can’t believe she is gone. Love you forever. Miss you always.
For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca
MAY 10 1938 – MAY 23 2020
We, the family of Pearl Fedoronchuk, announce with deepest sorrow her sudden and unexpected passing on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Pearl was predeceased by her parents Leslie and Dolly, brothers Eric, Gerald, Stan and Tony, sisters-in-law Annie, Gwen, June, Flo and Helen, and in 1972 her first husband Ed Hordy. In January 2019, she lost her loving husband Walter. She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Lynn(Michael), Terry(Glenn)and Lesley (John). Also her grandchildren Evan, Bailey, Jordan, Jennifer, and Stephen, brothers Leslie(Hazel) and Don(Mary), and many cherished nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Born in London England, Pearl was not only the youngest in the family, but the only sister to six older brothers. As a result of that, she grew up knowing how to stand up for herself, as she was the target of much good natured brotherly kidding. Even though Pearl was very young she clearly remembered the war years in London, spending hours in the air raid shelters, playing in bombed out streets, and enjoying a short evacuation to the seaside with brother Leslie. But she was never afraid, “being so young” she said “this was all she knew at the time, and it seemed perfectly normal and nothing to fear.” Pearl also considered herself very lucky as when each of her older brothers married, she gained a new big sister, and a deep bond was formed with each sister-in-law for the rest of her life.
Later, after the war, four of Pearl’s brothers moved from London to Thunder Bay, Ontario and as soon as she was 18, Pearl joined them. Her brother Eric introduced her to his friend Eddie, who became her first true love and husband. They started their family with daughter Lynn, and together their greatest joy was to spend weekends and holidays at the lake, and host parties for family and friends. Pearl took accounting at night school and worked at the School Board, Firestone and finally Canada Revenue. Sadly, after 14 wonderful years of marriage, Ed passed away from a long term illness, and Pearl, a young widow, set about the business of continuing life for herself and daughter. After a time, Pearl was able to begin pursuing an interest in travel, and while on a trip to Hawaii met a fellow traveller, Wally, and Pearl found herself incredibly fortunate to have met her second true love. Pearl and Wally married in 1974 and after residing in Thunder Bay for a short time, moved to Winnipeg. It was on a Sunday drive in the Whiteshell area that they happened on a little town called Pinawa. It was love at first sight and they happily settled in their “forever home”.
Pearl worked at Canada Revenue until she retired. As a group manager she cared greatly for the individuals under her supervision, wanting them to flourish thus her hope was to facilitate their success, encouraging them to learn and take more and more responsibility. Pearl always wanted the best for everyone.
There is no way to describe in so short a piece her intelligence, incredible energy, wit, and zest for living. She complained very little, always finding a way to make things work. Any problem had a solution. Many friends were embraced as family, and few know of the great generosity she had quietly shown to many, as her openheartedness was second nature and something she never considered unusual.
Pearl and Walter shared an entrepreneurial spirit and an ongoing love of travel. Together they ran several businesses and began their world wide travels with numerous adventures in Australia, New Zealand, England, Japan, Hong Kong, and Alaska to name a few, as well as a grand year long trek through Europe and parts of the Middle East, the entire time living and travelling in a van they converted themselves. They travelled extensively across Canada, visiting family that was so important to them both, and trying to never miss a niece or nephews wedding, no matter how far away.
It was in Pinawa that Pearl’s love of gardening became a true passion. She invested many hours in her backyard, turning it into a welcoming paradise. Everyone was greeted with the familiar phrase “Come see the garden” and many left with a bounty of the beautiful raspberries and veggies she grew and was delighted to share.
Tai chi and line dancing were also activities Pearl was passionate about and excelled at. She loved to share her knowledge by volunteering to teach classes in Texas and the Pinawa region for many years. Pearl was proud to be voted “Winter Texan of the Year” in Port Aransas for the many classes she volunteered to teach at the community centre and the work she did at the local library.
Pearl was also a “Master” knitter, gracing each new generation of her family and friends with baby outfits and blankets, and for the adults, sweaters, afghans, hat and scarf sets, slippers, and even thick winter socks, hand knitted with the love she had for us all. In later years she also joined volunteer knitting organizations which made hats, scarves, and blankets for various charities.
Pearl and Wally were both extraordinarily hospitable individuals, but as a combined force, their generosity knew no bounds. They loved entertaining and hosting parties that often lasted the whole weekend. Pearl planned every detail, her famous lists a tribute to her enviable organizational skills. Friends and family enjoyed many happy times at these parties and the house, garden and the ever popular breezeway were filled with laughter. When Pearl and Wally began spending winters in Texas, they threw their annual “Christmas in October” parties at CanadInns for friends and family, a huge event with Santa Claus (aka Wally) handing out gifts to one and all. Years later, the Christmas in October parties were smaller weekend long affairs for immediate family, but no less elaborate as Pearl loved to cook for her family, and creating and giving elaborate Christmas parcels was a great joy. “Christmas in October” is going to be terribly missed for it was one of the ways Pearl and Wally showed their family how much they loved us being all together. The Pinawa Birthday weekend was another opportunity for Pearl and Wally to host an event for family, and it was a much anticipated yearly event for all.
Pearl’s other great passion in life was spending Pinawa summers on the waters of the Winnipeg River with Wally, exploring the Whiteshell, sailing and fishing. They loved to take visitors and especially their grandchildren for afternoon fishing trips.
After retiring, winters were always spent in Texas, and their southern home became as important to them as their beloved Pinawa. They looked forward to joining their many friends, and loved when family came south to visit. There was a deep sense of sadness when those days changed as Wally’s health declined. They had many wonderful trips over the years, all around the world, and many lifelong friendships originated through their travels.
In the last year after Wally’s passing, Pearl’s life was quiet and happy. Pearl and Wally had an incredible life together, they worked hard in order to live their dreams, and Pearl was now content to be in the home and town she loved, although the travel bug doesn’t rest easily and she still spoke of the possibility of traveling south!
She remarked that she felt Wally’s spirit with her in every space in their home and that gave her peace and comfort. She enjoyed lunch with her friends at the Pinawa Seniors Meal program, loved attending the EMCA concerts with her good friend, going for walks, working hard in her garden after a long winter, curling up on her sofa to relax enjoying her movies and shows on Netflix, and most importantly keeping in touch with family and distant friends through her computer. She always signed emails to family Mum/Pearl/Nan and Dad/Wally/Grandpa, it was so important to be sure everyone was included. It is impossible to say how much she cared for and appreciated her friends and neighbours in Pinawa and how fortunate she felt to live there. The only thing Pearl wanted for was a small dog or cat to share her home and life with, she still missed Puffins their cat very much.
We have been blessed to have had Mum/Pearl/Nan in our lives. She was funny, outspoken, strong-willed, generous, warm, kind and loving. We really can’t believe she is gone. Love you forever. Miss you always.
For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log on to www.mosaicfunerals.ca