May 15th, 1927 – November 20, 2021
Stella Yakiwchuk (nee Strank formerly Strynadka), age 94 passed away on Nov 20th, 2021 at Holy Family Home in Winnipeg.
She was born May 15th, 1927 in Rossburn, Manitoba to Annie & Wasyl Strynadka. She was the 10th child of 15 children.
Stella was a unique character, who lived in Winnipeg most of her life, but who had also lived in the Lower Mainland and served Canada’s armed forces in Europe. She taught school for one year near Minitonas, MB (39 kids) before moving to Vancouver where she got a job with BC Tel & worked there for four years before joining the air force. She served as a Teletype Operator in the air force for 9 years, three of which were in France. After leaving the air force in 1963, she relocated to Winnipeg to be closer to her parents in Rossburn. She lived in the Bessborough building on Assiniboine Ave, sharing an apartment with friends until she met Melvin Yakiwchuk in 1968. Stella retired from the Federal government in 1989 after 33 years of service and married Mel in 1970. They loved to stroll through downtown Winnipeg to China Town, stopping in various shops, choosing unique items to decorate their home and always looking for a bargain.
Both Stella and Mel had a great love of animals and they had several well-loved pets over the years. Stella also loved to feed the birds and squirrels on the banks of the Assiniboine. Stella’s heart was full of love and care. She was totally devoted to Melvin and opened her heart to his daughter Mavis, husband Ian and sons George and Eric, who made numerous trips from Edmonton and Lethbridge to join Stella and Mel exploring Winnipeg’s duck-ponds, seafood, steak and Chinese restaurants.
Stella had many friends in the Bessborough building and delighted in all her brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces in her large and widely-dispersed family. Extended family and friends in Winnipeg stepped up to help Stella and Mel as they aged. Alyson Melynyk (now Hildebrand) did shopping and chores for several years. Staff, friends and neighbours in the Bessborough block were always there for her.
Prior to Mel’s death in 2019 and during the pandemic, Stella was assisted by her niece, Cheryl, as Stella had limited mobility since 2003 & surgery in 2006 for her knee & hip. She was close to her cousin Merle Antonition, two months older than Stella. The three gals would go for lunch and shopping several times a month.
Following Mel’s death, Stella’s health slowly deteriorated and following a couple of hospitalizations she moved into Holy Family Home, a personal care home.
Stella was predeceased by her husband Mel, parents Annie & Wasyl; brothers Jack, Alec, Willie, Peter, George, Mike, Matt, Dan, Eddie & Steve; & sisters Marie, Rose & Mary. Stella is survived by Mavis (Ian) Dyson; brother Paul (Mildred) Strank; brothers-in-law Lorin (Linda) Yakiwchuk, Calvin Duesterbeck & Arnold Streibel; sister-in-law Betty Strank & extended family from Ontario to BC. She was also a godmother to three nieces/nephews, Gayleen, Max & Debbie.
We would like to thank the staff at the Holy Family Home for care administered with sensitivity & respect. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Stella’s name may be made to Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3; 204-982-2021.
Stella’s and Mel’s ashes will be interred in the Minnedosa town cemetery in the spring of 2022.
