Eileen Yurchak

Mary Eileen Therese Yurchak

(née Verhaeghe)

Eileen Yurchak passed away peacefully at the Boundary Trails Health Centre on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the age of 81 years.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Syl, her three children, her six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also left to grieve are her siblings and their families, as well as a large extended family and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents Rene and Jean Verhaeghe and numerous siblings and in-laws.

Everyone is welcome to attend a Visitation at Adam’s Funeral Home in Notre-Dame, Manitoba on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7 p.m. Funeral Services wil be celebrated in the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Manitou, Manitoba on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by Eulogy and Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. After the service, lunch and fellowship will follow at the United Church C.E. Building.  The Service will be Live Streamed at www.afh.ca

Interment will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery in Carman, Manitoba at 3 p.m. All are welcome.

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

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

Eileen grew up in Roseisle Manitoba. Her fondest childhood memories are growing up on the family farm, with extended family on nearby farms, and going to school in Roseisle. She was a spunky, quick humoured, curious and intelligent child.  Being the oldest she was always in charge of her siblings, and did farm and house chores. Even at a young age she loved to bake!

She was always vertically challenged, but what she lacked in height, she made up for in spunk, determination and cunning. The cunning was so she wouldn’t get caught and have to deal with the repercussions of her father! Most times he encouraged her to stand up for herself and was left to make right choices on her own.

Many times when in school she would feign sick, to be sent to lay down in the nurses office which was conveniently located next to the library! Guess where she was when the nurse wasn’t around! She passed along her insatiable love of reading and writing to some of her children and grandchildren!

When her father moved the family to Carman. It was devastating to her. But, her Irish grandmother who lived down the street, known to her as Nana… was her comfort, support and refuge. Her love for going to school decreased while in Carman; but, not her fiercely competitive nature and pride in getting the best marks! She also worked long hours in a restaurant after school, to help provide for her family.

She had some friends that she chummed with, and always went to dances together! Like her father, Eileen loved music and to dance! As many of her friends that reside with her at the PCH are aware!

And in her married years she and her husband were always inviting friends over, people that didn’t have family nearby, those that were just hungry and between homes and looking for respect, kindness and a brief respite from their life struggles; open invitations for all occasions and just because. Her heart, kitchen and home was always open! She loved to entertain; but always had a shoulder to lean on and ears that listened and a compassionate heart always open to give and receive! One of Eileen’s love languages was receiving gifts. And she thought that was everyone’s love language too! She always had something for each person and pet too! If your children were furry and had four legs, or skin and two legs, there was always treats, cookies and a special toy drawer available!

She took on her husband’s family trait- as Ukrainians they love to feed people and not small quantities either! And so did she! No one left hungry and if you did that was your own fault! Many parish priests enjoyed her generous meals, humour and company!

Eileen was always involved in church activities and committees. That is where she met her husband Syl. The parish priest served both Morden and Carman. And Syl being an altar server at the time, would sometimes come with the priest when he served Mass in Carman. Their priest played match maker!

They have been married about 62 and a half years; and have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

Eileen had a unique sense of humour, she loved to learn and had a diverse education and job history. While working at the CIBC bank she completed an online education of a Business Administration diploma. Which also served her during her years as an office manager at a construction company, and working in the same retail store as her husband in the remote communities they lived after moving from Manitouwadge. At one point in her life she wanted to pursue nursing, but other obligations had her put that on hold. And in her later years she took her Educational Assistant certification because of her love of education and children.

They lived in Manitouwadge Ontario for 20 years; where she ran the local newspaper, reporting, editing and photography for a bit more than a decade.

Every community they have lived, she was always involved in her church and community . She was president and long standing member of the Catholic Women’s League, Lectionary and Eucharistic Minister, Parish and Pastoral Council, Ladies Hospital Axillary , school volunteer, and volunteered in other churches as well wherever there was a need.

They began their married life in Winnipeg and Thompson Manitoba, then Manitouwadge and Moosonee Ontario, Chisabi Québec, and Fort Simpson NWT and finally Churchill Manitoba. They moved often after Manitouwadge following Syl’s job relocation with the Northern Stores. Being often so far from family; it was customary to adopt people of all ages and races into their hearts along the way as extended family . Eileen left her heart prints imprinted on all whom she met!

They moved; having lived in Churchill for 5 years to reside here in Manitou in 2005.

They enjoyed local festivals and came to Manitou while visiting family nearby; to enjoy the Honey and Garlic Festival. And they drove around the town that day and fell in love with Manitou! That is when they decided this is where they would purchase their home and retire!

And true to her nature, Eileen was volunteering and involved with her church and community. She and her husband Syl belonged to the Manitou Ministerial Association for many years and enjoyed their time serving the Worship Services here at the care home.

Eileen’s pure heart was always giving and serving others. As many of you have already experienced. She was quick with the hugs, kind words and would roll up her sleeves and get to work where ever needed.

Her hobbies included bible study, crocheting, writing, reading, colouring, going for drives with her husband and enjoying the people, their culture, food, arts and history of the communities they visited.  She loved people and especially children and the elderly. And in the First Nations communities they lived in, she was always drawn to the children and the elders.  And they welcomed her into their hearts and homes! The children welcomed her as their Kocum- which means grandma.

She leaves us with so many treasured memories and a trail of love and Heart prints on each person that had the blessed opportunity to meet and know her.  Her pure heart now rests in peace.  She is finally home with God and her parents.