Marjorie Onysko

July 18, 1935 - October 20, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the loss of our wonderful Mom and Baba, Marjorie Onysko, on October 20th, 2024 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora. She was 89 years old. Marjorie is survived by her son, Robert (Carmen) and daughter Pat (Alan) and grandchildren Katrina, Evan, Kira (Kyle) and Toni Sloane (Hunter). She is also survived by her sister Joyce, nephew Doug (Violet) and their children Marysa and Julian; also many cousins, and many, many good friends.

Marjorie was predeceased by her loving husband, Tony, her parents Katherine and William, parents-in-law Margaret and George, niece Gail and sister-and-brother in laws, Bill and Mary, Bill and Luba and Bill Fosty.

Marjorie was born in July 1935. She lived her early life in the Ukrainian villages of Arbakka and Vita in southeastern Manitoba. It was here she developed her strong will and resilience, her work ethic and her commitment to family, her faith and culture.

At 19, Marjorie married the love of her life, Tony. They were equal partners in marriage. Marjorie described their dual professional working family as a well-oiled machine. She was a feminist – a mother of two young children, a wife, a working professional, and taking care of a household. Marjorie said she had to be an excellent mother and an excellent teacher to justify the path she had chosen. And she was.

Marjorie and Tony had 38 years of amazing adventures. After teaching in various locations in southern Manitoba, they moved to Watson Lake, Yukon to take up teaching positions and finally ended up in Kenora, Ontario which became their forever home. Marjorie and Tony traveled a lot across Canada to both coasts, to points in the U.S. and their monster adventure to Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. After Tony’s passing, Marjorie’s passion for travel did not dim. She covered a lot of territory– Italy, Malta, Austria, Germany, Spain, Morocco, the U.K., Wales, France, Greece and her favourite, Ukraine. She also spent many winters in Guayabitos, Mexico where she enjoyed the wonderful friendships, she made at the Mary Sol.

Marjorie loved life and lived it with gusto. Although she was sad to leave her home of 40 years on Cambrian Drive, she so loved living at Benedickson Court in Kenora and she wished she made the move sooner. She enjoyed meeting with her Benedickson friends where they chatted about everything, especially politics and current events.

Marjorie was always on the go. She was a long time Member of the Retired Teachers of Ontario and St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She loved volunteering her time at the Ukrainian Hall and its’ Ukrainian summer school program.

She loved going out with friends and family for dinner and concerts. Marjorie was always dressed to the nines loved shoes, especially high heels. She loved to dance, she loved flowers, the colour blue, Nana Mosuskouri and Harry Belafonte, Chinese food and Gin and Tonic, but only in the summer. She loved her curling and Canadian football.

When asked if there was something she wished for in her life, she said it would be better health and the chance to have a repeat performance–another kick at the can.

Marjorie was optimistic and positive, always smiling with her lovely blue eyes. Her philosophy was to always look for the positive in everything. And for every day that comes your way, take it as it comes because – that’s life.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Lake of the Woods hospital for their continuing care over the years – Dr. Thomas and most recently Dr. Moore. Also a “thank you” to the pharmacy staff at Shopper’s Drug Mart. And, and a huge thank you to Sarah Lava and the wonderful Personal Service Workers at Benedickson Court – they went above and beyond to provide care, support and friendship to Marjorie.

If friends so wish, they can make a donation to the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation.

‘Vichnaya Pamyat’

For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at https://fweb.tv/158545

Visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30pm with prayers will be held on Friday, October 25th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. The funeral will be held on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at 10:00am, also at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Father Statkevych officiating.