It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ilona Gushulak (nee Huhta), 74, on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 after struggling bravely at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont., with her beloved husband and soulmate, Lawrence, at her side.
Ilona was born March 14, 1941 in Wawa, Ont. to Alfred and Helvi Huhta.
The family later relocated to Atikokan, Ont., where Ilona met Lawrence Gushulak. They were happily married on July 16, 1960 at St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Fort Frances and together raised their three daughters, Lisa, Cheryl, and Heather.
Ilona was happiest fi shing and partridge hunting, as well as camping and berry-picking —a love for the outdoors she instilled in her daughters and grandchildren (well except for maybe berry-picking). On fi shing trips, Ilona forever will be remembered for routinely having the first, the last, the biggest, and the most. She also usually had a fi sh or two on the ice before Lawrence even had fi nished drilling the holes.
She and Lawrence enjoyed dancing, as well as their “weekend getaways” to Thunder Bay, Duluth, and especially Minneapolis to see a Vikings’ game.
Ilona also enjoyed fl owers and gardening, and was an excellent cook and photographer. As well as being a wonderful seamstress, she loved to crochet and cross stitch crafts for her family.
Ilona succumbed to dementia in her later years, which progressed to the point of requiring 24-hour professional care. She moved to Rainycrest in the fall of 2013 and remained there until her passing.
In addition to her loving husband of 55 years, Lawrence, Ilona is survived by her daughters, Lisa Gushulak of Fort Frances, Ont., Cheryl Behan (Michael) of Fort Frances, Ont., and Heather Gushulak of Kenora, Ont.; grandchildren, Nathan Baird (Kate) of Devlin, Ont., and Kennadi Herbert (Tyce Nutley) and Jacob Herbert of Kenora, Ont.; and great-granddaughter, Sloan Baird of Devlin, Ont.
She also is survived by her mother-in-law, Sophie Gushulak of Fort Frances, Ont.; sister, Linda Huhta and family of Winnipeg, Man.; brothers-in-law, Jim (Fran) Gushuliak and family of Moose Jaw, Sask. and Randy (Barb) Gushulak of Spruce Grove, Alta.; sister-in-law, Irene MacKenzie (Paul) of Niagaraon-the-Lake, Ont.; special nieces and nephew, Allyson MacKenzie of China, Brianne MacKenzie of Buffalo, N.Y., Austin MacKenzie of Toronto, Ont., and Penny Crawford (Chris) and family of Spruce Grove, Alta.; and special friend, Sheila McKelvie of Midland, Ont.
Ilona was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Helvi; father-in-law, George Gushulak; brother, Norman Huhta (Betty); and infant nephew, Paul Gushulak.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Bohdon Statkevych offi ciating.
Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be Paul MacKenzie, Michael Behan, Nathan Baird, Jacob Herbert, Tyce Nutley, and Bill Gushulak.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, the Rainycrest Auxiliary, or the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Dearest Mom, Thank you for being the perfect wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. Your love and gentle smile will be imprinted forever in our hearts.
An angel among us, you lived life fully and well, though you left us far too soon.
Go be with the angels. We will miss you.
ILONA GUSHULAK
