JANE (JEAN) OLYNYK

A lovely angel was welcomed into Heaven on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012.
On May 28, 1934, in Sundown, Man., a beautiful daughter was born to Joseph and Axanna Plichta. Jean was the fourth of nine children born into the family.
Jean moved to Fort Frances, Ont. with her family at the age of 10 and was a resident there for more than 50 years.
Jean married Joseph (Joe) Olynyk on Oct. 25, 1952. Joe proposed to Jean on their first date and five months later they were married. They were married for 59 years.
Joe and Jean had four children and tragically lost their first son, Dean, in infancy.
Jean is survived by her husband, Joe, children, Denise (Russ) Joss, Terry (Rhonda) Olynyk, and Maria (Bill) Dobransky; eight grandchildren, Danny (Mindy) Joss, Adarian (Mike) Ballegeer, Joanna (Jeremy) Sokul, Dustin (Katie) Olynyk, Cody and Nikki Olynyk, and Holley and Kailey Dobransky; and five great-grandchildren, Taylor and Karlee Sokul, Mattea and Aven Joss, and Cameron Olynyk.
Also surviving are Jean’s sisters, Elma (Stan) Wepruk, Dorothy (Bill) Wepruk, and Anna (Larry) Wood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jean was a wonderful woman who brought many smiles and laughs to others. She loved to tell stories about things that happened while she was young, which we will never forget.
She was always proud of her children, and her grandchildren also were a source of pride and joy. The grandchildren always got lots of hugs and kisses from Baba, and she loved squeezing the babies and playing with them.
Everyone loved Jean’s cooking, especially her signature “tiny” perohy and holubtsi, her tasty gravy, and the butter tarts at Christmas time, along with many other goodies.
Jean was a member of St. Anna’s UWAC and St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Fort Frances.
Jean was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage and enjoyed being part of the Ukrainian choir. Music always was important to the family, and Jean loved to sing and dance whenever possible.
In 1995, Jean and Joe moved to Steinbach, Man. and later to Niverville, Man. Jean faced many difficult health issues throughout her entire life, but remained strong until her passing.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach, Man.
Interment followed at the St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in Sundown, Man.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations preferred to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Arthritis Society.
Condolences may be left at www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com
Mom, we love you so very much and know that you will always be watching over us all.
Vichnaya Pamyat