Myrtle Wiancko
After a lengthy and most courageous battle with cancer, Mrytle (Myrt) Wiancko peacefully passed away on April 7, 2008 at the much-too-young age of 76 years. Myrt was a classroom teacher and educator for more than 40 years, and her relentless fight was a metaphor for her life and a lesson about all that is good – love and respect for family and friends, enormous generosity of self and spirit, passion for laughter and life, and determination and resilience that knew no boundaries.
Myrt will be greatly missed and forever remembered by her daughter Betti-Ann Lavitt (Ray) and her granddaughters, Amber and Keltie, of whom she was so wonderfully proud; by her niece, Stormie Duchnycz (Ken) and their children, Jordan, Thomas, Karey and Alyssa; by sisters Esther (Neil), Helen and Carole (Hank), and brothers Wes (Pam), Oscar (Mitzie), Grant (Jennifer) and Gordon (Lin); by many nieces and nephews; and by countless friends. Myrt was pre-deceased by her parents Hilda and George, and by her brothers John, Harry (Gladys), and Jim (Anna).
Born and raised in central Alberta, Myrt graduated from the University of Alberta and spent 33 years as a primary grade school teacher and principal in Edmonton, Selkirk, Winnipeg and at the Canadian military base in Lahr, West Germany. She left the classroom in 1986 and for several years afterwards worked as a consultant with the Manitoba Department of Education. After her retirement, Myrt continued to consult with the Department, delivering in-services at schools across northern Manitoba. She also volunteered extensively, working with the Kidney Foundation of Manitoba, the Salvation Army and the Canadian Cancer Society. The Canadian Cancer Society recognized Myrt’s contributions with the Gold, Silver and Lifetime Achievement awards.
Sincere thanks to the staff at the St. Boniface General Hospital for the wonderful care.
A memorial service, in celebration of Myrt’s life, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 15th 2008 at the Fort Garry Hotel (Broadway Room), Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated.