Arva Hryciuk

Peacefully, with family by her side, Arva Hryciuk passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2019. She was 95 years old.

Arva was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Max Hryciuk in 2002, and by her sister Bernice and her brothers Shirley, Gordon, and Clayton; sister-in-laws Sylvia Torbiak, Irene Willits, and Gladys Willits; brother-in- law Jack Hooper; nephews Allan Budinsky and David Hooper. She leaves to cherish her memory daughters Donna Rodericks (Robbie), Barbara Hryciuk Moar (Garry), Patty Hryciuk (Ken), and Shelley Bates (Don); grandchildren Stephen Rodericks (Brandi), Doyle Moar (Lori), Andrew Moar (Cory), David Safruk, and Allery Safruk; great grandchildren Paisley and Kinsley Rodericks, Grace, Rene, and Lauren Moar, and Ayla Moar; sister-in-law, Alice Budinsky; nephews Brian and Sandy Willits, Don and David Budinsky, Billy Hooper and niece Corrine Terin.

Arva was born in Elgin, Manitoba in 1923.  When she was 9 years old, her family moved to Souris where she completed her schooling, winning the Governor General’s Award for highest achievement in Grade 12. After graduating she moved to Vancouver for 2 years to live with her aunt and work for CIBC. She returned to Souris to work a year in the local department store before taking a job as a teletypist for Trans-Canada Airlines where she worked for 4 years. She met Max during this time and they married in 1947. They began their married life in Alonsa, Manitoba where Max had taken a job as the Administrator of the Local Government District.

They lived in Alonsa for 47 years where they were active in building their small community and raising their daughters.  Once all the family were in school, Arva travelled back and forth to Winnipeg for a year to obtain her Teachers Certificate from the Department of Education. She then taught primary school and kindergarten for 15 years.

Arva was an avid swimmer and earned her life-saving and bronze medallion as a young woman. She loved the lake and was always one of the first to get wet after the spring thaw. She also enjoyed curling in the winter and used her sewing skills to teach 4 H for many years. Music was an important part of Arva’s life and she loved to sing. As a young woman in Souris, she became a church soloist and sang in a swing band. When she and Max moved to Portage in 1994, she joined the Portage Senior Choir. She was active in the United Church, both in Alonsa and later in Portage as a member of Mckenzie United Church In retirement, painting became Arva’s most accomplished hobby of which she enjoyed painting landscapes and nature in oil and water color. She enjoyed the dances, playing crib, and volunteering at the Herman Prior Centre in Portage and was a member of the Gladstone Order of Eastern Star.

A private family burial will be held at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Winnipeg at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com