Leona Hawrysh February 3, 2022
In memory of Leona Anne Hawrysh, we give tribute to the life she led and the individuals that knew and loved her. She was a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law, wife, nurse, and friend. On February 03, 2022, she took her last breath in the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an infection in her body and spine that took her life too soon. She had just celebrated her 79th birthday that previous week, on January 25, with the hospital staff enjoying cupcakes, fresh flowers and gifts sent from her family and friends.
She was an exceptional lady that would strike up a conversation with anyone and always had a listening ear. She loved her family and friends and tried her best even when she was spreading herself too thin by her nurturing nature. Leona will be remembered as a hard-working nurse, mother, cook, seamstress, and quilter who loved spending time camping or boating on Gordon Lake in her younger years. Her personable demeanour always drew others into long conversations, sometimes to the point that her children got frustrated waiting to go. She spent her last years living in a lovely condo in Keewatin, Ontario overlooking Lake of the Woods, where she spent her days' sewing and quilting.
Leona never was one to sit down when the family was around but instead was running here and there without hesitation. She took her role seriously, especially with family. Her ability to care for others came intuitively and kept her young at heart. You would always leave Bill (William), and Leona's feeling doted on and, of course, with a full belly and heart. She will be deeply missed but not forgotten by all that knew her.
She is survived by her boys Warren, Brent (Kristi), and Bryan Hawrysh, her nine grandchildren Jessica and Jillian Hawrysh (Warren), Hayley, Nathan, and Lily Hawrysh (Brent), and Gabriela, Kayden, Isabella, and Camila Hawrysh (Bryan). She also leaves behind her siblings Dianne (Ames) Blair, Ken Ames (Carol), Sandra (Ames) Harmon, Valerie (Ames) Bacskai (Nick) and Leona's nieces and nephews, community members, past colleagues, and good friends.
Her wishes were to be cremated with no funeral service. She wanted all of her family to celebrate her and her deceased husband, (Bill) William Hawrysh's lives by scattering their ashes together, where they shared fond memories of spending many summers camping with their children, relatives, and friends. This will happen later when all the family can be together in Kenora, Ontario.
We would also like to acknowledge the doctors and nurses who supported and cared for her, especially one admiral loving RN nurse, Lynnise, her travel companion to Thunder Bay, and one extraordinary doctor, Dr. Coke. Both provided Leona and the family above and beyond compassion, selflessness, and care while in hospital. These generous-hearted individuals are from the Kenora Lakewood's hospital, where Leona had worked as a nurse for many years. She often expressed on the phone how well she was being looked after and mentioned these two often. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions and distance between families, Leona's family could not be with her in the last month of her life.
We want to express our gratitude and thanks to family, friends, neighbours who have reached out in many ways and actions. We would also like to thank Lake of the Woods District Hospital & ICU staff and the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital team for their efforts to get Leona back on her feet. Also, Alcock Funeral Home & Cremation Services Ltd. in Kenora, Ontario and Riverside Crematorium in Thunder Bay. Your efforts and compassion have made this difficult time a bit easier.
We will truly miss you. May you rest in peace and live out the days doing the things that brought you love and enjoyment while being in the comfort of your husband, Bill's loving arms. We hope you will join us in sharing and reminiscing in the memories of Leona. We will never forget Leona choosing Bill's clothes day after day-"Deary? What should I wear today?"
Everyone is welcome and asked to share fond memories and expressions of kind words or phrases of sympathy by signing our guest book.