Marion Rose Antoniw

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marion Antoniw on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at the Russell Health Centre.

Marion was born on June 16, 1937 to parents John and Jean Gumieny. She was the eldest of five children and raised on the family homestead in the RM of Rossburn. She attended Clark school and made the decision to join the workforce immediately after. She worked at the Russell Hospital, the bank in Rossburn and People’s Store. Her working days within the community concluded when she caught the eye of Matt Antoniw. They married on October 29, 1957 and together raised four children on the Antoniw farm homestead.

Marion dedicated her life to her family, faith, community, and the farm she and her husband Matt built together. Even though life was very busy on the farm, she still found time to give back to the community by being actively involved in many community events and projects over the years, Manitoba 4H, Ag Society, Hospital Auxiliary, Historical Society and Communities in Bloom to name a few.

In 1980, with her children nearing their senior years of school, she decided to rejoin the workforce and took the position of librarian for the Elementary school. Her love of books and children of all ages made this the perfect job for her, one that would last over twenty years.

One of her lifelong commitments was to her church participating in the church choir alongside her husband and children, member of the UCWL for over sixty years (many as president), teaching catechism to countless children over many summer months. Her faith was extremely important to her as well as sharing it with others. In 1978, Marion became an integral member of the restoration committee for the Rossburn Farm Church – Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Honoring her ancestors, she worked tirelessly to restore the church’s condition and see it become a designated municipal historical site.  Annual Praznyk services continue to be held.

In 2000, Matt and Marion made the difficult decision to sell the family farm and move into town. With no cows to milk or chickens to feed they turned their attention to creating a beautiful yard and gardens where together they could still work side by side.  Mom found more time to work on the many hobbies she enjoyed, such as painting, sewing, embroidery.

Mom thoroughly enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren.  Visting happened anywhere, around the kitchen table playing cards or scrabble or in the garden shelling peas or making borscht.  Holiday gatherings always brought the family back to her home. Mom’s excellent Ukrainian cooking and bread making lured everyone to the table.

Marion touched countless lives with her kindness, generosity, and gentle spirit. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the traditions she preserved, and the love she shared so freely. She leaves behind a loving family and many dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Marion was predeceased by her husband Matt in 2021, parents John and Jean Gumieny, brother Edward, and sister Janet.

Leaving behind to cherish her memory are her children Frances (Bud Fenty), Alan (Gretchen), Jo-Ann, Kim (Glenn Zegers), eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, as well as brother Henry (Helene), sister Adelephina Huculak, her dear feline companion Charlie, and many nieces and nephews.