It is with joy and sadness that our family announces our beloved mother, Irene Tataryn, went home to be with her lord on August 3^rd, 2023, passing at Donwood Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. In the days preceding her passing, she spent it in the loving presence of her family.

Irene leaves to mourn her children, Joe (Natalie), Paul (Wendy), Linda (Dalton), grandchildren Joshua, Michael, Christopher and Sara, sister-in-law Marie Graboweski, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Fred, parents Edward and Josephine, sister Adeline, brothers Emil (Nellie), Frank Graboweski, brothers-in-law Bill (Mary), Mike (Minnie), Nick (Doris), Harry (Kay) Tataryn, grandchildren Jesse Fredericks and Ashley Tataryn.

Mom was born January 28^th, 1936, in Sandy Hook, MB.  The daughter of Polish immigrants, she was raised on a farm milking cows, making cream and caring for the chickens, turkeys, and pigs. She had many great childhood memories growing up with her protective older brothers Emil and Frank, attending school in Husavik and Kjarna.

At 19 years of age, Irene moved to Winnipeg living on her own in a rooming house with a hotplate, tiny refrigerator, and no washroom in her apartment. She attended Manitoba Technical Institute studying typing, comptometry, stenography and English. Her first job was at CCM running the order desk. In 1958 Mom and Dad wed and together raised their children in Hodgson, Fisher Branch, and later in Winnipeg. Irene supported her husband’s entrepreneurial pursuits, the Royal Hotel and Royal Motors in Hodgson , MB, the Royal George Hotel in Transcona, Royal Sports Shop, and Royal Ice Cream in East Kildonan, Winnipeg. When her children became teenagers Mom went to work at The Bay Kildonan Place, in the hardware department. She became affectionately known as the “Bay Lady” and along with other women of our community ran that Bay hardware department like never before. Irene learned to use a computer in the technology’s formative years. That store never again experienced the efficiency of mom and her gang of workers. More deals on lawnmowers in the Morse Place community were never had again!!!

Irene’s greatest joy was her family. She embraced her call to the Catholic vocation of motherhood and marriage. She was a dedicated homemaker for her 3 children and husband.  Mom was an amazing cook, making everything from scratch including all our ethnic delights such as holopchi, pyrohy, nalysnyky, pyrizhky, and more. Irene took pride in her home and immersed herself in the community of Morse Place creating an amazing network of wonderful friends who became like family. Mom, together with Dad created a “magical“ childhood for us, full of sports, lake and farm memories, trips, church, parties, and family gatherings. She instilled a work ethic with discipline that prepared us for the world to come. Mom also brought her mother’s sister, Auntie Francis Dobros into our home when Auntie was widowed, and mom became a caregiver for many years.

Mom loved Falcon Lake and enjoyed 40 years of camping, cottage and lake life with Dad and the family. The cottage was a great source of pride for her.  It was in this time that she learned to play golf from Dad. Mom was always an active and health-oriented person. She loved to walk but was game for almost all things active like curling, water and cross-country skiing , biking, skating, Tai-Chi, gym workouts and mall walking.

Irene spoke both Polish and Ukrainian.  She loved music particularly country, country gospel, and the old-time spirituals hymns. She loved weddings, dancing, and family get togethers. She was interested in local history, nostalgia, and her friends!! Going for coffee, going for lunch or supper, it didn’t matter. Her friends were the world to her.

After the sudden passing of Dad in 2001, mom started a new chapter in her life living independently until the last 18 months. She loved her time in a beautiful condominium apartment in Kildonan Meadows Transcona playing cards, visiting, or watching and feeding the ducks and geese. She traveled to China and many other exotic destinations. Mom was adventurous and curious but mostly she was buoyed by her grandboys, who she followed in all their athletic pursuits, such as hockey, football, lacrosse, basketball, and baseball. She had a special relationship with her late grandson Jesse and enjoyed card games, impromptu visits and having a deep and meaningful conversation with him.

The final chapter of mom’s life was arduous. Vitality was replaced with infirmary, but mom worked through her challenges and maintained a beautiful dignity up until her passing. This was confirmed by the staff at Donwood Personal Care Home. Many of her caregivers spoke such kind words about her time there. Mom was well looked after, and she was appreciative of the care she received in her new home. Our family wishes to thank all the caregivers, staff, and administrators at Donwood for their service to our mother.

A funeral service, celebration of life will be held on September 6^th, 2023, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 288 Donwood Drive at 11:00 with Father Anthony Austin, officiating.  Cremation will occur followed by a private family internment at Green Acres Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Fred.

In lieu of flowers the family request a donation of food stuffs or monies payable to the “Holy Redeemer Catholic Church” – Food Bank.

Family and Friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Irene’s memorial page, by using the comment field below.