Frances Theresa (Omichinski) Parynuick

Frances Theresa “Fran” Parynuick

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frances Theresa Parynuick of Newton, Manitoba on Sunday, July 9, 2017, at the Portage General Hospital,at the age of 93 years,.

Left to mourn her passing are her son Timothy Parynuick Jr., brother Reg Omichinski, sisters-in-law Ivy Omichinski and Vicki Omichinski, cousin-in-law Polly Weday, and many nieces, nephews and other generations in the Omichinski and Parynuick families.

She was predeceased by her husband Timothy Parynuick Sr., parents Joseph and Katherine Omichinski, sisters Mary (Norm Chase), Lee (John Lenoski),Kate (Leo Stadnyk) and Sophie (Andrew Swedick), brothers, Bill (Estelle), Martin (Olive), Anton (Jean), Joseph, Larry (Marion), Bernie (Mary), Amie (Isabelle).

Frances was born in Ladywood , Manitoba on October 25, 1923. About the age of 10, she moved with her parents and siblings to the Oakville, Manitoba district where her parents had bought land to continue farming.

There she attended Elm River School and helped on the family farm. During the latter part of the Second World War, she moved to British Columbia to live with her married sisters Lee and Kate where she worked making plywood, repairing damaged bombers and constructing new airplanes. Her job in the aircraft factories was riveting. At the end of the War, she returned to Manitoba where she married Tim Parynuick, a WW11 veteran, on January 1, 1946. In the spring of 1946, Frances and Tim moved to the farm owned by Mike Parynuick, Tim’s grandfather.

There they began their life long occupation of farming. In July of 2006, Tim passed away and Frances continued operating the farm. Because she rented the farm out on a crop share basis, she was considered a farmer until the day she passed away.

Throughout her life, Fran (Franny) worked hard. Besides running a household and raising a family, she had to participate in the daily routine of operating a farm. Fran and Tim had a mixed operation with grain, chickens and a cow/calf herd. The early days of farming did not incorporate the labour saving devices we now see. Manual labour was the norm. Even as a teenager on her parents farm, she worked at farming, such as taking teams of horses out to the field during the busy times of the year. 

Yet throughout this life of work, Mom had time to enjoy herself and the friends and relatives around her. From reading some of her early diaries, we got to know that in the early days of rural life, people made their own fun, playing cards, visiting neighbours and dances and socials. Mom was a party animal. She was low key but really enjoyed a good get-together. There were many family parties at the farm. In later years when they could afford it, Mom and Dad made several trips to Europe to commemorate Dad’s involvement in the War and to visit Dad’s sister in Ukraine.

Mom was a devout Catholic, first attending church at St.Hyacinthe and then Good Shepherd in Portage la Prairie. Fran was a member of the CWL and the Altar Society and helped raise money for the church through bake sales and other events. Fran was a good community person. She was a member of the Curtis Ridge Community centre for many years, helping to put on their Fall suppers and other events.

Mom did many things. She was a good seamstress and made most of her clothes, many which she wore to the present day. She was a good cook and a great baker. She is known for her butter tarts, cookies, cabbage rolls, perogies and lighter-than-air buns. As most farm wives did, Mom canned, pickled, and made jam on an annual basis.

Mom enjoyed playing the piano. She had a good ear and could pick up tunes quickly. In her middle years while her eyesight was still good, Mom took up needlework and produced some very fine works. She loved her flowers and had some wonderful flowerbeds. 

Fran enjoyed people. Mom would talk to people at the drop of a hat. She had opinions but rarely spoke negatively about anyone. Mom loved life even at some of its darkest times. After a cry or a rant, she would pick herself up and get on with things.

She will be missed.

Prayers will be held in the chapel of the Omega funeral Home on Tuesday evening, July 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Lunch and then the internment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens to follow.

If desired, donations may be made in memory of Fran to a charity of one’s choice. 

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