Obituaries
Barbara Victoria Rose-Marie Melnyk
November 1, 1937 - June 5, 2010
Date of Service: June 12, 2010
BARBARA VICTORIA ROSE-MARIE MELNYK
(nee Boychuk)
"Barbie"
November 1, 1937 to June 5, 2010
God saw that you were tired and embraced you in his arms on your last day and took you home. Mom's last 4 years of her journey were tough while she fought a hard and courageous battle with myeloma cancer. On her last day she looked at family photos with us and listened to one of her & Dad's favourites The Bee Gees. Her face lit up with a smile as she sang a bit and moved her head to the beat of the music. Her last words were "have a good life, I love you all". In our hearts we know she journeyed to Heaven as she crossed a beautiful bridge that Dad had built for her. We asked her to give Dad a kiss and send a butterfly as a message. She said she would send lots. Later that day a beautiful Monarch butterfly showed it's presence to us and we knew she had arrived. Right up until her last day she still had her bright spirit, and cheerful smile. During her stay at the hospital, she continued to lift others spirits. If you asked her how she was doing she would say "great". She would never complain and her bright soul would always shine through no matter how she felt.
Since she was very young, Mom can be remembered for her love of music. She sang in a choir and at home you could hear her singing or humming a tune to helping out in the family music store. Always supporting her family with their love of music. She loved gardening and beautiful flowers. Mom had a very creative side, loved to sew; make fabulous outfits and beautiful hats. As young kids we even had matching outfits for our family photo. She would even go into fine details and make doll clothes for our Barbie's. And let's not forget her talents in the kitchen for making the best pyrogies, cabbage rolls, headcheese, pickles and borscht. "Thanks Mom" for teaching us how to make these family favorites.
She retired from her life long career as a Buyer with the
Mom was predeceased by her loving husband, John on April 21, 2007. Left to cherish and treasure all the wonderful times spent together are her children and grandchildren; Brad (Gail), Jason and Victoria; Jan (Axel), Zach (Brad); Joyce (Barry), Sheldon and Shay (Mike); her nephew Wally and niece Chris (Bob). She is also survived by her brothers and sisters; Jo (Lou), John (Jean), Martin (Louise), Liz (Bill), and many other family members.
A special "Thank You" to the staff at RIH, especially Dr. Michaud, Dr. Avanessian, Dr. Wijeyesinghe, Dr. Wilson and the Kidney Dialysis ward. As well as her porter and family friend Steve and the numerous nurses; and Kirsten who helped us in her final moments.
"Mom you will always live on in our hearts and our memories that we will cherish forever.
Keep sending us those butterflies.
Till we meet again Mom.
We love and miss you."
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Kamloops Funeral Home Chapel,
Email condolences may be sent to the family www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Royal Inland Hospital Foundation for the cancer centre and for the renal and transplant unit, charitable number 11912 8965 RR0001.