Obituary of Zonia Onishenko

Onishenko: Zonia Lucy Onishenko passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital, on Friday, June 17, 2005 at the age of 67 years. How Do You Live Your ‘Dash’? (A poem read by Rayleen Krysak, niece) Author unknown I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning... to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. For Aunty Zonia those dates are 1938-2005. For the dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth... And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; The cars... the house... the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our ‘dash’. So think about this long and hard... Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left That can still be rearranged. If you could just slow down enough To consider what’s true and real, And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, And show appreciation more, And love the people in our lives Like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, And more often wear a smile... Remembering that this special dash Might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy’s being read With your life’s actions to rehash... Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent your dash? Zonia was born February 17, 1938 at Two Hills, Alberta. She was the third of six children and the only daughter of William and Dora Labiuk. The family moved from Two Hills to the Kitscoty area in 1946. Zonia started school in Two Hills and completed her high school in Kitscoty. Shortly after finishing school she left Kitscoty and entered the work force. Zonia worked in the mornings and took stenography and short hand classes at Alberta College for one semester. After four years she returned to Lloydminster where she worked at Hobarts Fashions. On August 19, 1961 Zonia married the love of her life, Lawrence Onis-henko. Zonia continued to work at Hobart Fashions until they moved to Heinsburg, Alberta in 1966. There she became the school secretary until their return to Lloydminster in 1980. They bought their first home and shortly after Zonia took employment at Husky Oil as a secretary. She took early retirement in 1995 and immediately started a small home business with Shaklee Canada. Zonia enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, picking wild berries, curling, bowling, exercising and playing cards. Zonia was an exceptional care giver and she also dedicated many hours to the Women of the Moose. During their life together Zonia and Lawrence took in eight cruises. Caribbean (East and West), Panama, Mexican Rivera, to name a few. Zonia and Lawrence traveled by motor home from coast to coast across Canada, including Newfoundland and Alaska, USA. They also went on many bus tours including Branson and Nashville, Graceland, Disneyland, Bouchard Gardens and others. Zonia and Lawrence and “Misty”, (their family cat), spend many enjoyable trips to trout lakes, Picnic Lake, Fern Lake, Suffern Lake, Piperell Lake, George’s Lake, Atchison Lake as well as many others. They fished for pike and walleye in Canoe Lake, Keeley Lake, Sandy Lake, Iroquois Lake, Lac Des Isles Lake. Misty would guard camp while Zonia and Lawrence fished, with Zonia usually catching the fish of the day. Zonia and Lawrence would travel many miles in search of saskatoons, blueberries and cranberries, which Zonia would preserve and prepare into delicious desserts. Lawrence would introduce Zonia to new sport or a new card game and before long Zonia would master them and challenge Lawrence so he would have to come up with something new again. This is why Lawrence didn’t take Zonia to the golf course very often. Zonia leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband Lawrence; four brothers: Walter (Grace) Labiuk of Edmonton, Leo (Violet) Labiuk of Sherwood Park and their family, Tracy (Jackson) and Jackson IV Beard of USA, Jeanne Labiuk and Patricia Labiuk of Sherwood Park, Henry (Carol-Ann) Labiuk of Heinsburg, Calvin (Lisa) and Dana Labiuk of Hinton, Matt Lyon of Vermilion, Josh Lyon of Heinsburg, Jim (Wanda) Labiuk, Joey (Marci) Labiuk, James Labiuk and Janelle Labiuk all of Kitscoty; brother-in-law Harvey (Florence) Onishenko of Blaine Lake, Saska-tchewan; Maureen (Michael) Adamoski, Alexandra, Lauren and Ross of Edmonton, Darrell (Connie) Onishenko, Chantelle and Jarrett of Blaine Lake, Rayleen (Greg) Krysak, Mitchell and Trevor of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Corinne (Gordon) Bantle, Mackenzie, Brett and Nikolas of Edmonton, Kyle (Wendy) Onishenko, Cole and Briaden of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan as well as aunts, uncles and numerous relatives and friends. Zonia was predeceased by her parents, William Labiuk in 1978, Dora Labiuk in 1988, and a brother Nick Labiuk in 1998. A Tribute to Aunty Zonia (Joey, Jamie and Janelle Labiuk - nephews and niece) We were asked to give one word that described Aunty Zonia for ourselves personally. None of us could give just one word. There was... family get togethers, cooking, Ukrainian Christmas dinners, birthday parties, kind, loving, caring, sharing, giving, considerate, helping, ad-vising, supporting, tea-ching, gardening, camping, fishing, active, busy, and the list goes on and on. Aunty was all of these things and many more. We could not come up with just one word that could describe all that Aunty meant to all of us. Family meant the world to Aunty... when her parents were both gone... it was Aunty that did all she could to hold the family together with the unforgettable family get-to-gethers she would so tirelessly put on each year. Aunty loved to cook and she did such a wonderful job of every recipe she tried. Some of us had the experience of trying her meatless lasagna... “But didn’t she know that lasagna has to have meat!!!” It was a quite a while before we would forgive her for that, but now it is a very special memory, one that will never be forgotten... “Thanks for the memory and the experience!” The lasagna was really not that bad either. Aunty loved to cook and have family and friends over and after being to one of Aunty’s gatherings you know what we mean. Aunty loved to go camping, fishing, ice fishing... Aunty and Uncle were always willing to take anyone fishing even us as little ones and I’m sure we were probably more of a handful and a hindrance than any help. The times when Uncle would drill a hole in the ice and tell us to make sure we didn’t fall in... well that happened and some of us had to sit in the truck all day because we were wet and cold. It even happened to Aunty Zonia... she sometimes stepped in a hole and got herself wet too. Summer fishing trips were always exciting as well... everyone was always welcome... “Misty” was not left at home alone as she would go along too. Their enthusiasm was definitely passed on to the younger generation as we all think that is the best place to be in the summer. Aunty Zonia always was thinking of the less fortunate. She spent many, many hours visiting at hospitals, extended care facilities, and helping those less fortunate than herself. She was always there to lend a helping hand... doing the little things... that meant so much. Gardening... if there was tomatoes to be planted... weeds to be hoed... flowers to water... peas to pick and freeze... raspberries!!! Aunty was there. Gardening will never be the same without her... we didn’t realize it would be so hard... every time we’re in the garden... we think of her. Aunty Zonia... “Thank you!!!” for the wonderful example you have left with us. The memories you have left will never be lost. The one and only word that we could come up with to describe someone so special is... “Zonia.” God has picked the most beautiful flower to add to his perfect heavenly bouquet. Women of the Moose Tribute Zonia joined our chapter on December 9, 1980. We soon realized that she would be valuable member. She received her A/F degree in 1987, served as Sr. Regent 1988 - 1989 and received her C/R degree in 1990 and Star/Recorder degree in 1999. Over the years she held various offices and served on many committees. She could be found in the kitchen often, showing us her cooking skills and showing us the proper way to make cabbage rolls. Other ways of helping were visiting at the hospital, nursing home and also shut-ins at their homes. She was always willing to help and treated everyone equal. This was done in a friendly manner and with a big smile. She was still actively involved until her illness and practiced our principles of the chapter of faith, hope and charity. The lives touched by her acts of kindness will be missed. The funeral service for Zonia Onishenko was conducted from the Southridge Community Church, Lloydminster on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. Hymns sung were: “Just As I Am,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” “What A Day That Will Be.” Active pallbearers were: Calvin Labiuk, Joey Labiuk, Jamie Labiuk, Michael Adamoski, Darrell Onishenko and Kyle Onishenko. Interment followed in the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. administered the funeral arrangements. Special thanks to all of Zonia’s friends and family who visited her while she was in the hospital, to Dr. Chan, the staff at the Lloydminster Hospital and the student nurses, for their excellent care of Zonia. Thank you to Pastor Mike Morgan for the comforting works and support, and to Pastor Brad Berkan for the wonderful music at the funeral. A special thank you to Reverend Harold Martin for reading the eulogy. Thank you to Lois Kendel for the very fitting solo, and recessional music and song “Remember Me” by Alexandra Adamoski. Thank you to the Women of the Moose for their part in the funeral service and also for the preparation of the delicious lunch following the service. Thank you to Dale McCaw for your kindness and professionalism in helping with the funeral arrangements. Lawrence Onishenko and all of Zonia’s Family Donations in memory of Zonia may be made to the CJD Foundation.