Obituary of Irene Victoria Senchuk

SENCHUK: Irene Victoria (née White) Senchuk at the age of 79 years, passed away quietly at home in Brandon, MB on Sunday, April 24, 2011 surrounded by her husband, Jack and children, Gregg, Barbara, Andrea, Carole and David. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Andrea Lynn and Brennan, sister Lil (Jim) and brothers, Fred (Del) and Doug. Irene was born January 1, 1932 in The Pas, MB, to father Percy White and mother Clarisse (née Nabess) Her father, who fondly nicknamed her "Coke," spent most of WWII as a guard at a prisoner of war camp in Canada. During these years, she and her siblings were raised mainly by her mother. She struck out for the big city of Winnipeg when she was 17, and her boyfriend Jack soon followed. Three years later they were married, in June of 1952. She raised her first two children while Jack worked at night and attended the University of Manitoba full time during the day. They had little time to see each other during those years, but they persevered, settling in Brandon in 1962, and the family grew. She was a walker…..oh, how she loved to walk with Jack. Miles and miles! In the winter, they would drive to the mall early in the morning and walk the empty corridors to get their exercise. She also loved to travel, especially to England, where her father was born. One of her English highlights was a 100 mile backpack trek with Jack through the Cotswolds in their mid-60's. She and Jack toured Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Israel and spent many a camping trip travelling throughout the U.S.A. and Canada, sometimes with five children in tow. She loved her little escape from the Manitoba winters. Many a March, when the flowers and cherry trees were blooming, she visited old friends and one of her sons on the West Coast. This gave her inspiration for her own gardening desires, as she waited with anticipation for the season to change and she could tend to her gardens with great enthusiasm. Her home was her castle and that's where she gladly chose to spend her remaining days. Her faith in God stood tall, in good times and bad, as did her sense of humour. When she was first diagnosed with brain cancer she remarked that "God will take me soon and where I'm headed it's going to be one big party." She was devoted to her Christian faith and the Mennonite Brethren Church, where she was an active member, doing much volunteer work over the years. She celebrated life with her cheery, optimistic outlook, generous soul, kind heart and always saw the good in people. The Senchuk family would like to say, thank you very much to the We Care girls and the Home Care nurses who tenderly cared for her at home. Special thanks to Dr. du Plooy, whose sense of humour made her laugh, whose piano playing made her cry, and whose house calls were greatly appreciated. Finally, to all the friends who visited her in the hospital and at home, she loved you dearly. In her memory, Irene would like people to buy a friend a flower, pick up the phone and call each other or, as she loved to do, write a letter to someone close. A time of visitation was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A funeral service was held at Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church, on Thursday, April 28, 2011 with Pastor Ben Kramer officiating. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7.