Tribute

 It is with much love and beautiful memories we say adios to our bella mama Chelina. She left us peacefully to join her beloved Paul, who predeceased her in 1998. She is survived by her three children: Carmen, Roland (Corinne) and Antonio as well as the joy of her life, her two granddaughters Ariana and Maya. Chelina was born in Zirandaro, Mexico, and raised in Los Placeres del Oro. She had a fun-filled childhood surrounded by her nine siblings. When her father passed she and her mom moved to Mexico City, where she met Paul Kuczma in the summer of 1947. They fell in love and in October she flew to Winnipeg where Paul lived and they were married on October 25. Chelina says she remembers not understanding anything the justice of the peace was saying. She also doubted her decision to head off to the unknown without really knowing much about Canada. They spent two years in Winnipeg as Paul completed his degree at University of Manitoba. They lived with his parents, who spoke Ukrainian, and it was a challenge for Chelina to communicate with them. But she and her mother-in-law bonded as the latter showed her how to make Ukrainian food. She always said she made that better then Mexican food. They moved to the coast when Paul was offered a job in Powell River teaching at Brooks. Paul built their first and only house in Westview and they settled in a diverse neighborhood, where everyone looked out for each other. Mom was very skilled in cross-stitch, crocheting and embroidery and was very generous with her afghans. She was superb cook, especially her cabbage rolls and perogies, as well as her baked cookies and pies. She was not a hockey fan, but in the 1960s, she loved watching Eddied Shack of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Chelina was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and involved in the Catholic Women’s League. One of the highlights of her life was her trip to the Holy Land with other church members in 1987. She enjoyed the activities at Cranberry Seniors Centre especially the gambling trips to Reno, Lake Tahoe and Nanaimo. She loved swimming in the ocean and in later years took aguasize. She looked forward to the weekly outings to the garage sales with Paul patiently driving her and Mrs. Gerard all around town. Above all she was a master bingo player and she and her partner in crime, Katie Nassichuk, were regulars on the bingo circuit. Chelina kept close ties with her family in Mexico, visiting often and having many members of her family come to Powell River. She often visited Paul’s family in the Lower Mainland and was a regular at the Ukrainian Bazaar in the city for many years. We would like to thank Doctor Elliot for his constant care, the marvelous staff at Willingdon Creek Village, especially Margaret and Iwan, the activities department, the kitchen servers and above all, the superb and amazing House Three staff, whose care, kindness and love were so comforting to mom and to her family. There are no words to express our gratitude for the delight and love Cheryl-lynn Lefebvre brought to mom’s life. We are forever grateful. We would like to thank all of mom’s friends who cared for her so much and always carried her in their thoughts. A funeral mass will be held at 11 am on Monday, March 12, at Church of Assumption. Afterward, a reception will be held next door at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC SPCA Powell River and District Branch or Alzheimer Society of BC. Siempre presente mama. Vaya con Dios.