Obituary of Charlotte Hozack

Hozack ~ Charlotte Doreen Hozack passed away peacefully at the Grey Nun's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta on Friday, February 6, 2009 at the age of 79 years. The Celebration of Life was conducted from the Marwayne Alliance Church, Marwayne on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. The eulogy was read by grandchildren: Crystal Tobler, Marcy Weum and Rob Hozack as well as nephew Brian Hozack. Leader of song was Colleen Hozack. The hymns sung were "Amazing Grace" and "In The Garden" accompanied on the organ by Joanne Horton. The Honorary Pallbearers were Jim and Muriel Hozack, Jack and Pauline Tyner, Dale and Eileen Spence, Ted Smyth and Elsie Sirockman and Berva Nelson. The Active Pallbearers were all the Grandchildren. Interment will take place in the Streamstown Cemetery in Spring 2009. EULOGY Rob: Charlotte Doreen Tyner was born in the Lloydminster hospital on June 21st, 1929. She lived on a farm in the Willowlea district with her Mom and Dad, four sisters: Mary, Norah, Eileen and Muriel and two brothers: Bob and Jack. Doreen was predeceased by her Mom and Dad: John and Elsie Tyner, 2 infant brothers: William Thomas and Richard John, 2 sisters: Mary and her husband Johnny, Norah and her husband Don, brother Bob and his wife Marian, brothers-in-law Maurice and Bid and sister-in-law Helen. Doreen went to school from grade one to nine at Willowlea, then she attended school in Streamstown and on to Kitscoty where she graduated. Doreen was a great athlete especially enjoying track, where she excelled in racing and high jumping. She played a lot of fastball and, like her daughter Dawn and her granddaughter Marcy, she was always the pitcher and loved running the bases. At home, Doreen and Muriel were the typical middle children, running errands, chopping wood, melting snow, washing floors, tending to Jack and generally helping Granny. On Saturday nights when Granny took the older kids to dances at Willowlea, the 3 youngest would stay home with Grampa and play stealing sticks, after they got the porridge ready for Sunday breakfast. After graduating, Doreen took the job of a supervisor correspondence at Bridstow School for one year, before working at John's Curtis's store in Streamstown. On July 18th, 1952 she married Gordon Hozack and lived on the farm until her passing. She was his partner, his friend, his sweetheart and occasionally, his right hand man. Together they built a life, a family, a farm. This lifetime of working side by side with her husband was guaranteed to make the marriage stronger or nonexistent. Obviously, it was the cornerstone of her existence. This partnership was richer and more rewarding than any career we can imagine. Doreen was a tremendous farm hand: she could run any piece of machinery and loved being busy outside. Her yard could attest to that. She became the driver: running errands, parts, meals, feed and kids. She was also a great cook and family gatherings were always special with her chocolate cake, cream puffs, flapper pie and homemade soup. When the kids were young, Sundays often ended with fried chicken, French fries, corn fritters and Auntie Muriel's doughnuts. That was in the days when neighbors often dropped in for supper, as well as extended family and, amazingly enough, there was always food and room for everyone. Hospitality was second nature to Gramma. No one came into the yard without being offered food and drink and conversation, whether they were family, friends, a busload of school kids or strangers. She was a strong community member, active in the Streamstown ladies club, tireless in the booth at the arena and, perhaps, the original energizer bunny. Throughout this busy and successful life one thing was paramount: Always and forever her focus was us, her family. What a legacy we have. She is survived by her loving husband, Gordie, her children: Danny (Pat), Dawn, Murray, Kerri (Trevor), 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 sisters: Muriel (Jim), Eileen (Dale) one brother Jack (Pauline) brother in law Jack (Joan), sisters in law Pat and Betty, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, of the great and not so great varieties. Brian: Auntie Doreen: this story would not be complete without telling the story of the "aunty" and "sister" that she was. Not many families get to have an "extra" Mom but we did. In fact, I'm sure there are people here today that still don't know who belongs to whom. Aunty Doreen was the someone who was there at the end of the day with a pot of soup and flapper pie when Mom got home from school with 7 or 8 kids. Or was home with all of us while Mom was at school. The someone who cared about all of our activities: sports, school and social and, eventually, our growing families. The someone who was as comfortable (and as busy) in our house as she was in her own. Someone who was always there for Mom to get her through the tough times, the busy times and to multiply the joy found in living every day in the midst of their families. She survived baling with Eileen, hay camps and Sunday School picnics. Not only survived them but enjoyed them. She loved Halloween and played tricks and planned pranks with the enthusiasm of a kid. Stopping at her house was the highlight of the evening for her grandchildren, great nieces and nephews. We all have many memories of her keeping our kids and now our grandkids, and planning and enjoying "great grandkid days" both at the park, the pool or the farm. We also grew up with Auntie Doreen the "hockey fan!" She loved to watch the games and also loved to stop for a treat. Playing cards is a family tradition and Auntie Doreen was great at it. Competitive, but fun, and no game was better than one that had kids in it. Right Braden? She could be ruthless, but more often was having too much fun and spent her time laughing instead. She had an infectious laugh so even when she was laughing at your hand or your play, it was hard not to join in. Someone once said: to a child love is spelt t-i-m-e and Auntie Doreen gave lavishly. We are so grateful for the impact that Auntie Doreen has had in our lives and the wonderful memories we have to treasure and share with our families. The past few weeks have given the family many hours to reflect on the time spent with Grandma. It's hard to imagine life without her at the farm. Her presence there was always a constant. No matter what life was throwing your way, you could retreat to the comforts of the farm and find her. She found little ways of letting us know she loved us very much. We each have a special spot for her in our hearts and I would like to share some of our fondest memories with you. For it is these memories that will carry on her legacy and teach future generations the lessons that she helped instill in each of us. He day started off simply with breakfast, but I now know how special these moments are to Dad, Auntie Dawn, and Uncle Danny. It was a great kick-start to any day because you can be sure with grandma serving they each got their fill. By ten o'clock daily plans would be discussed with Auntie Muriel and the day was off. In earlier years grandma had a well-worn path between her house and Auntie Muriel's. I remember looking out our kitchen window and seeing grandma on the path with six or more cats on her heels. The cats had no idea they were not grandma's favorite animal on the farm. I hardly remember a time that grandma ever got mad at us. Even when we were stealing veggies from the garden, she didn't scold or chase us out. Today I can picture grandma staring out her patio doors, giggling at us raiding the garden thinking we were being so sneaky. Speaking of sneaky you'll have to ask Rob and Tim about the time they were playing tricks around the farm on Halloween and grandma scared the daylights out of them. Or Amy about wrapping gifts for Christmas and trying to disguise a snow shovel. Grandma tended to each of us in special ways: scaring, laughing, playing, or watching, but her touch was with the babies. Grandma always had a special way with babies. At a family gathering you can be sure that grandma would be holding a baby. But it wasn't just the way she held the baby that made her touch so magic. It was the way she rocked back and forth humming or singing, her cheek pressed close to theirs. Never was there any other place a baby could feel as much love and security as in grandma's embrace. She left us with so many memories and precious moments to cherish always. Some of her favorite times were when she and Auntie Muriel alternated weeks babysitting at Auntie Kerri and Uncle Trever's. I know these were very special times for grandma and moments that Miranda and Braden will never forget. They enjoyed the many hours of cards, long walks, even the bus ride to Edmonton. I can't imagine a better sitter than our grandma. Sugar, butter and creme need I say more. When I think of Grandma I will remember the beads of sweat on her brow on a hot day. Her standing at the sink with Auntie Muriel doing another batch of dishes. Canning jars of preserves that were often given out at Christmas. Her slow but steady hand on the steering wheel. Her smile as she spoke of Marcy's family and Charlotte's most recent accomplishment. But most of all her hands. Her hard working, chore-ridden hands. I never will figure out how they got so soft. You see, growing up we were the luckiest kids in the world. The farm was a nest, nurtured by these loving hands. Never were we scared or alone. We always had someone close at hand to nurse our wounds, call us for supper, help with homework or play a game of cards. I was always amazed at how grandma could help whip up a meal intended for five and quickly grow to ten or more people. She spoiled us with richer things than money; it was her love and attention that won our hearts and her desserts that sweetened our souls. I will be willing to bet that everyone here today has savored more than their share of grandma's desserts, whether it be her cream puffs, score bar, a catering specialty or my favorite, her chocolate cake with brown sugar icing. Another legacy if you ask me. Thank-you grandma for your quiet, loving ways, your giggle and your embrace. Rarely when you lose someone do you find yourself trying to remember a bad time you had with them. It sounds funny, but we did just that, and as we filled the hospital it became clear that we may have taken Grandma and her easy, accepting and forgiving nature for granted. You see...she accepted each of us as we were, faults and all. She didn't judge or roll her eyes or make snide comments. I am sure at times she had to bite her tongue, or leave the room, but conflict wasn't her style. She was careful not to hurt others with her actions or words. She had a gentle way of leading by example. In good and bad times she was positive, steady and constant...a quiet calm...everyone should be so blessed to have a rock like that. She didn't need to argue points with people on who was right or wrong. She was strong in her convictions but felt no need to debate them. This made her pretty easy to be around. Her sense of humor was so enjoyable. She saw the humor in life and her laugh was so sincere. It was a quiet laugh, rarely a sound she'd make as her shoulders trembled and tears streamed down her cheek...but it filled the room. It brought as much joy to people as watching a child giggle, it was just that pure. Even in the last days with her in the hospital she was only worried about others. Asking each of us if we had eaten, telling me I should be home with my kids and letting the nurse know she could turn on her light if needed...even though it was the middle of the night. As she lay there her thoughts were not of herself. Yet as she lay there, people came in droves to care for her. Maybe that is the greatest lesson she has taught us all. When you live a life of service to your community, your friends and your family you benefit the most. And in the last days of your life those that you cared for so unconditionally, relentlessly and without judgement will be there to bid you farewell. We will cherish our memories of you , we will share with those still yet to come...your legacy. But most of all to honor you we will strive to be better people, to be to others the example you were for us of acceptance, devotion, forgiveness and love. If we had more time, we would thank you, for loving each of us...just as we are. May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back...The sun shine warm upon your face...And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. CARD OF THANKS As we mourn the loss of our loved one we have many people to thank. Thank-you so much to the Lloydminster Emergency Staff for their quick response, the ambulance attendants and the Doctors and Nurses at the Wainwright Stroke Center. A special thanks to the exceptionally caring Doctors, Nurses and staff of the Grey Nuns hospital. Their dedication and professionalism was second to none. Thank-you also to McCaw Funeral Service, Reverend Bob Aldrich, Joanne Horton, Colleen, Rob, Brian, Crystal and Marcy for making the service so special. Thank-you to the ladies who prepared and served the lunch. Thank-you to all our family and friends who visited and or sent flowers, meals, casseroles, baking, cards and donations. Every act of kindness was greatly appreciated. It is heart warming to know that we live in such a wonderful and caring community. The Hozack Families Donations in memory of Doreen may be made to the Streamstown Cemetery Fund or to a charity of the donor's choice.