It is with heavy hearts that the family announces that Eleanor Maleschuk passed away on April 15, 2012, surrounded by the love of her family, after a long and difficult, but courageous battle with cancer. Eleanor was born on August 11, 1932, to Wasyl and Helen (nee Marianchuk) Danyliuk. She, along with her siblings, grew up on the family farm just west of Theodore. Eleanor attended Westbrook School and even though this meant a 5 mile walk everyday in good weather, she loved school. One of her greatest schoolgirl thrills was having the opportunity to take a plane ride with Mr. Ingham, her teacher's husband. While other students hesitantly stood back, young Eleanor eagerly accepted a ride and never forgot that experience. She took her high school education by correspondence as it was too expensive to board in town. On October 23, 1949, Eleanor married John Maleschuk. To this union, two children were born, Gail and Dwain. The couple lived on the homestead until 1958 and then moved to town because there was no all-weather road to the main grid and Gail was starting school. John continued to grow grain and together they built a successful farming operation. Eleanor was an excellent cook and her 4-course delicious "meals in the field" were always eagerly anticipated by the hired help. In 1976 they built a new house in Theodore and Eleanor devoted much care to creating a beautiful, welcoming home. From 1962 to 1972, Eleanor worked as a part-time nurse's aide, housekeeper and cook at the Theodore Hospital. Then from 1973 to 1985 she was the receptionist at the doctor's office. Her organizational skills, friendly personality and fluency in the Ukrainian language made her a valuable asset for many physicians. In her youth, Eleanor loved to dance which is probably why she enjoyed watching her grandchildren Ukrainian dance so much. Cheering on her grandsons in their hockey games was always a highlight for her, and she took a keen interest in all her grandchildren's activities. She also loved to curl and was an avid follower of all curling events on TV; as well she enjoyed watching her son-in-law whenever the Legislature was sitting. When Eleanor was 15 years old, her mother took her to a Westbrook Ladies Aid meeting because the English language was being spoken already and her mother didn't understand everything and Eleanor had to translate. For the next 64 years, she would be a dedicated member of the Westbrook, Theodore & Yorkton Ukrainian Orthodox Church Ladies' Associations. Eleanor helped each organization with many fundraisers and also acted as treasurer in Theodore. She was a life-long member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and served as secretary-treasurer for many years for the Theodore congregation. Eleanor had many artistic talents which included: cross-stitch, needlework, crocheting, flower arranging and pysanky writing.(A sample of her needlework is on display in the church entrance.) Her Easter paska were beautiful and she was often asked to make kolachi (braided bread) for many special occasions. She was also an accomplished seamstress and an excellent cook, but she was also very modest about her skills and would be embarrassed to hear all these compliments. Eleanor's home and yard were very important to her, and she would often be seen tending her garden which always produced abundantly and which she generously shared with others. Her flowers received many compliments from passers-by. In 2005, John and Eleanor decided to move to Yorkton. Although they greatly missed Theodore, Eleanor enjoyed their newly-constructed home, especially her kitchen. Travel, playing cards (particularly with her grandchildren), reading, and puzzles were other activities that Eleanor enjoyed. She was always interested in learning new things which led her to take a typing and medical terminology course to help her career, and when she was in her 70's she decided to get a computer to keep up with the times. This way she could email family members and google information. She even set up a facebook account where she enjoyed the postings of family and friends. With the help of her grandchildren, she thoroughly enjoyed using her laptop. But her greatest joy was having the entire family assembled at Christmas, Easter or summer barbeques where many funny stories would often be shared and laughed over. She was very proud of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, and was a loving GG to her 3 great granddaughters which she referred to as "beautiful little angels". Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, Wasyl & Helen Danyliuk; her brothers Edward & Fred Danyliuk, infant siblings, Sam & Jean, and her brother-in-law Alexander Skrepnick. She leaves to mourn her passing and celebrate her life: her husband John of 63 years; her daughter Gail (Ken) Krawetz; her son Dwain (Wendy) Maleschuk; grandchildren - Bryce (Olivia) Krawetz, Lindsay Krawetz; Ryan (Shelby), Scott, & Chad Maleschuk; great grandchildren - Willow & Scarlett Krawetz,and Brielle Anderson; her sister June Skrepnick; brothers - Michael (Adele), Orest and Gordon Danyliuk; sister-in-law Lena Danyliuk and many nieces and nephews. Eleanor was an incredibly patient, kind, gentle and loving lady who will be dearly missed by her friends and family. The Prayer Service was held on Friday, April 20, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton, SK. The Very Reverend Father Mel Slashinsky officiated both services and the Cantor was Gerald Yaholnitsky. The Cross Bearer was Ladner Polowick and the Banner Bearers were Evan Danyliuk and Emery Rosko. Eleanor was laid to rest in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of Gethsemane, with Bryce Krawetz, Ryan Maleschuk, Scott Maleschuk, Chad Maleschuk, Lindsay Krawetz and Johanna Hutzul serving as the casket bearers. Friends and family wishing to make a donation may do so to the Yorkton Health Foundation Building Fund in Memory of Eleanor Maleschuk. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
