Eleanor Angela (Kaskiw) Mackedenski

ELEANOR ANGELA MACKEDENSKI

February 18, 1921 – September 3, 2019

98 Years

MACKEDENSKI, Eleanor (nee Kaskiw) – It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our mom, baba, great-baba, sister, and aunt, Eleanor Angela Mackedenski (nee Kaskiw).  

Eleanor was born February 18, 1921 on the family farm to Michael and Martha Kaskiw.  She was the fourth child born of a total of nine siblings in their family.  She attended Eckford School until grade 8 and then went to help her large family by performing household work on neighboring farms.

Eleanor married Alexander Mackedenski on June 3, 1944.  They lived on the Mackedenski homestead south of Vista, alongside Alex’s parents and grandmother. Eleanor was kept busy with a large garden, milking cows, and cooking and cleaning for the entire family.  She helped care for Alex’s parents for 18 years until their passing.  Afterward, Eleanor and Alex were able to enjoy curling together, playing cards, and entertaining friends.  Eleanor and Alexander had two children: Leonard Alexander, born in July 1948, followed by Diane Joan born in June 1954. 

Sadly, Alex suffered a fatal heart attack and passed away in 1972 at the age of 51.  This left Eleanor to take over the family farm with the help of her children, and then later by her eldest grandsons, Ashley and Manley.  But the tragedy of losing her husband would not slow her down.

Church was important to Eleanor.  She was a member of the Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Oakburn and a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League since 1970. 

In 1974 Eleanor started work as a dietary aide at the Morley House Personal Care Centre in Shoal Lake, retiring in 1987.  In addition to traveling, camping at Rossman Lake, golfing, swimming, and embroidering, Eleanor focused her time on the family farm.  She raised chickens, painted farm buildings, cooked endless meals, and always took an active interest in the farm work being done.  Even into her 90’s, Eleanor still enjoyed gardening, picking mushrooms, baking, cutting grass, hosting Christmas dinners, and driving to the occasional gaming centre! 

Eleanor spent 75 years on the family farm, still residing there until this past spring.  Despite the sudden passing of her son, Leonard, in 2010, she was fortunate for the continued love, support, and friendship of her daughter, Diane, in addition to that of her family, and the joy she experienced from her three grandsons and three great-grandsons.   She took great pride in her home and always followed a weekly cooking and cleaning household routine without fail.  A highlight for her was partaking in the 100 year Mackedenski century farm celebration in 2016. 

For the majority of her life, Eleanor experienced quite excellent health – most likely because she was always busy and active.  Being at home on the farm is what undoubtedly kept her going for so many years.  Sadly, Eleanor suffered a stroke at the farm in May 2019, but was determined to keep fighting.  Her determination through her medical therapy during the summer was unbelievable and she made quite a remarkable recovery overall.  Unfortunately, in late August, she was found to have several health complications that she just could not recover from.  With God deciding her work was finally done, Eleanor passed away peacefully with family by her side at the Hamiota District Health Centre on September 3, 2019 at the age of 98 years.

Eleanor had a spirit of perseverance, as she experienced a great deal of loss in her life.  She was pre-deceased by: her parents, Michael and Martha Kaskiw; her sisters and brothers: Nellie Lepischak, Mary Michasiw, Lena Lepischak, Isaac Kaskiw, Stella Yaskiw, Walter Kaskiw, Jessie Carriere; husband, Alex; son, Leonard; and granddaughter, Luanna. 

In addition to numerous nieces and nephews, Eleanor is survived by her: daughter, Diane; sister, Phyllis with husband, Stan Bart; sister-in-law, Shirley Kaskiw; daughter-in-law, Ollie; grandsons, Ashley with wife Sandra; Manley; and Dean with partner Cory; and great grandsons, Hayden, Grady, and Colton.

Funeral service was held at the Oakburn Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church on Saturday, September 7, 2019 with Fr. Mykhaylo Khomitskyy officiating.  Pallbearers were: Dennis Kaskiw, Jamie Kaskiw, Randy Woycheshin, and Ashley, Manley, and Dean Mackedenski.  Crossbearer was Hayden Mackedenski.  Interment followed at the parish cemetery in Oakburn.  Rae’s Funeral Service was in care of arrangements.

Donations may be made to the Oakburn Holy Eucharist Church Building Fund.

Eleanor will always be remembered for her hard work ethic, strength, humor, and love. 

You have worked so hard all your life.  It is now time for you to take a much deserved rest.

Vichnaya Pam’yat.  We love you. 

We cannot express the heartfelt thanks and support we have received from all our family & friends who supported us during Mom’s illness and since her passing.  Special thanks to Fr. Mykhaylo for all his prayers and visits with Mom.  Linda Yaskiw and Brian for the lovely meals and to Darcy Yaskiw for opening his home to us and driving us around Winnipeg during Mom’s therapy.  Shirley Kaskiw for bringing food to the hospital; Shelly Kaskiw for the food, coffee, and blankets; and John and Rachel Kostecki and Nelson Luhowy for the family supper they provided.  All those who visited Mom while she was in Russell, Winnipeg, Shoal Lake, and Hamiota.  The staff at the Hamiota District Health Centre are to be commended for the kindness and compassion given to us, not to mention the excellent care given to Mom.  Thank you to the pallbearers and crossbearer for leading Mom on her final journey.  Bruce Manulak and staff for their lunch catering.  And the staff of Rae’s Funeral Service were impeccable. During this difficult time, the phone calls, words of sympathy, visits, cards, flowers, & food have been so thoughtful.  We are truly touched by these tributes to Mom.  God bless you all.

– Diane Mackedenski and family – Ollie, Manley, Dean and Cory, Ashley and Sandra, Hayden, Grady, and Colton