Marion (Yasinsky) Gryba

In Loving Memory of

Marion Gryba

1920 - 2015

Mom passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2015 in her own home with family at her bedside.  That was one of her big desires.  She was 95 years old.

Mom’s parents were Prokop and Anne (nee Wawryk) Yasinsky. Mom was born January 18, 1920 on the farm north of Roblin, Manitoba in the Zelena district.  She had eleven siblings, eight sisters & three brothers.  She received her education in the small country school called Timber.  At age sixteen, Mom left the farm to work in several towns in Saskatchewan. She worked in a five & dime store, Doering Lumber Mill, and several restaurants.  At one of the restaurants, her boss overheard Mom bragging that she could bake better buns than him, so her boss upgraded her to the position of baking.

Mom met her husband-to-be Peter Gryba at a community dance, and on October 19, 1943 they were united in marriage.  Together they farmed north of Gilbert Plains for five years.  In 1948 they moved to the Umatilla District north of Grandview.  Together they raised nine children; four boys and five girls.  Mom worked hard, she helped Dad with the land & cattle.  Mom also raised poultry & planted large gardens and was very involved with the 4-H clubs with her children.  Her days were always full with cooking, cleaning, baking, and running errands for Dad.

In her younger years, doing laundry meant heating pails of water on the wood cook stove, operating the ringer washer and hanging piles of clothes on the lines.  Mom could pack a full course meal into the trunk of the car so we could enjoy a meal at the fairs and on the fields during the busy harvest season.  Sometimes we wondered if Mom ever went to bed, because late in the evening she would be writing pages and pages of letters to the children who had moved into the city.  She didn’t have face book then.

Her hobbies were sewing crocheting and knitting and her passion was cooking for her family.  When Dad had his accident in 1972, the older boys and Mom kept the farm going till Dad recovered.  Mom had a love for the Ukrainian language and she would talk to us about the history of Ukrainian pioneers and enjoyed visiting different Ukrainian churches in Manitoba.  She was a member of St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League.

Mom & Dad enjoyed traveling.  They made many trips to Florida to visit Dad’s sister Anne in Florida.  They also travelled to many different places in Canada and the USA, spending time at hot springs & uranium mines.  In 1979 Mom & Dad retired and moved to the town of Grandview.  They purchased a motor home and travelled to Alaska & Western Canada.  After Dad passed way in 1991, Mom enjoyed participating and entered her baking, crafts and flowers in the local fairs and the national Ukrainian festival winning many red ribbons.

In November, Mom’s health started to decline.  Evelyn the oldest daughter, moved in with Mom to help with Mom’s care.  Last weekend, the immediate family was notified of her failing health.  Again the house was full of family who came to give their love, blessings and good byes.

Marion was predeceased by daughter-in-law Gwen Gryba in 1990, Husband Peter Gryba in 1991, Son Mervin in January, 2015, Sisters Lena Boguski, Nellie Yasinsky, Edna Bewcyk, Kay Buguska, Adline Rosolowski, Nellie Gregerson, Vicky Byrko, Brothers Emil and Pete Yasinsky,

Surviving to mourn Marion’s death and cherish many fond memories are Marion’s children; Emil – Winnipeg, Albert (Marilyn) – Grandview, Evelyn Gonsalves – Grandview, Phyllis Wicks (Fred) – Winnipeg, Angeline Gryba – Mission, B.C., Wayne Gryba (Jennifer) – Grandview, Elsie Nault (Fred) – Gilbert Plains, Janice Aposlte (Ron) – Gilbert Plains. 25 Grandchildren – 32 Great Grandchildren, and Siblings, Anne (Magnus) Anderson – New Westminster, B.C, and August (Leona) Yasinsky – Surrey, B.C.

Viewing and Prayers of Comfort Service were held Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM from The Family Worship Centre in Grandview with Pastor Linda Macleod officiating.

Requiem Devine Liturgy was celebrated Monday, March 16, 2015 at 10:00 AM from St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Grandview with Rev. Fr, Yaroslav Strukhlyak officiating assisted by the Cantor Mr. Victor Sorochuk. The Cross Bearer was Bryce Gryba and Casket Bearers were Philip Nault, Shaun Green, Mark Gryba, Trent Gryba, Ethan Apostle, and Michael Gryba. Mr. Ernie Gurica was the Sacristan. Byron Gryba delivered the Eulogy

Following the Divine Liturgy a Memorial Luncheon was held at the Grandview Kinsmen Hall, hosted by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

Interment Prayers were held at St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Parish Cemetery at Grandview.

The following poem was written for Marion’s 80’Th birthday by her daughter Phyllis Wicks

MY MOTHER’S HANDS ARE NEVER STILL

My Mom’s hands are never still

Many baby bottles did her hands fill

And in the spring to prepare the soil

With garden hoe, her hands did toil

Holopchi, pyrogies, pies and cakes

These and more her hands do make

Car trucks and tractors too

These four wheelers my mother

Applied her hand to.

All the dishes her hands washed

Laundry hung, peas shelled, berries packed

Would make today’s computer sick

My Mothers hands are older now

But many works and gifts her hands

Still perform somehow

My Mother’s Hands are now still and those memories do our hearts fill.

Vichnaya Pam'Yat

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