Jean Wowryk

Jean Wowryk, 96, of Brandon (formerly Shoal Lake), Passed Away Peacefully

Jean Wowryk of Brandon, formerly of Shoal Lake, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2024, at Valley View Personal Care Home in Brandon, Manitoba, at the age of 96. Jean lived a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by family and friends who loved her dearly. Known for her kindness, strength, and generosity, Jean touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Born on the family farm north of Oakburn, Manitoba, Jean dedicated her life to her family and community. She attended King George School, located just down the road from the farm, and from an early age, helped her mother, Winnie, with cooking and raising her siblings. Jean left the farm at a young age to help neighbours and later worked as a maid at the Shoal Lake Hotel. She met the love of her life, Ed Wowryk, and they married on June 19, 1948, at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Shoal Lake. The couple had a small wedding party at the Sawchuk farm, followed by a larger celebration at the hall in Shoal Lake. Together, Jean and Ed farmed north of Shoal Lake and were blessed with two children: a son, Larry, and a daughter, Julie.

Jean assisted Ed on the farm in their early years while also exploring knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She had a passion for gardening, a love she shared with her granddaughter, Courtney. The two spent many happy moments picking peas and shelling them while listening to Ukrainian music on the radio. Jean was a constant source of support and guidance, creating countless cherished memories with her family.

Jean was known for her remarkable cooking skills, especially her Ukrainian dishes, which were a highlight of family gatherings during holidays and other occasions. Her famously small cabbage rolls, “holupchi,” were a source of amazement and delight to her brother-in-laws; Frank Wawryk and Mike Haiko, who often joked about the meticulous care she put into each one.

Jean and Ed travelled with family across Western Canada and the U.S. They really enjoyed time playing cards, fishing, and camping with friends and family. In 2000, they moved to Brandon to accommodate Ed’s dialysis treatments, where Jean lovingly cared for him until his passing in 2004, after 55 years of marriage.

In 2014, Jean moved to Valley View Personal Care Home, where she spent her remaining years. Jean proudly shared her granddaughter Courtney's achievements with the nursing staff, boasting about Courtney becoming a lawyer. Valley View staff fondly remembered Jean for her warmth and her daily routine of announcing her presence and readiness for breakfast.

Jean is predeceased by her husband, Ed Wowryk; her parents, Mike and Winnie Peech; her sisters Lena Peech (in infancy), Tennie Nykoliation, Mary Bart, Anne Manulak, and Stephanie Borys; and her brothers John, Melvin, Harry, and Bill Peech.

Jean leaves to cherish her memory her children: son Larry (Deb) Wowryk of Shoal Lake and their daughter Courtney Wowryk of Winnipeg, and daughter Julie (Earl) Glabush of Brandon. She is also survived by her sisters: Elsie (Zane) Luhowy of St. Thomas, ON, Sylvia (Bernie) Zdrill of Winnipeg, Doreen (Gerald) Marko of Anola, and Helen Wark of Langford, BC; her brother Larry (Barb) Peech of Middlechurch; brother-in-law Frank Wawryk of Winnipeg; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on September 14, 2024, at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Shoal Lake, Manitoba, with Father Jose Cabril officiating. The family extends their gratitude to the Valley View staff for their excellent care over the years.