On December 17th, 2019 Nellie Korzenoski (nee Holomay) at the age of 86; left this world to rejoin her husband Earl and son Lloyd. She passed away peacefully with her daughter Heather and son in law Harry by her side at home. Nellie showed strength, courage, grace and dignity until the end.

Nellie was born in Bowsman, Manitoba on March 27th, 1933 and grew up on the farm with her parents. Her mother, Annie was an important presence in her life, showing her how to be strong through example. Her father was a CNN employee. Her parents valued education and mom excelled in her studies. She was very proud of having been involved in her school strike which was the first in Manitoba. Nellie surpassed the expectations for women of her time period. She sought an education and stood up for herself and was very self-sufficient.

Nellie and Earl were married on October 1, 1952; they met when Nellie was teaching in the one room school in Venlaw. They lived for two years on the farm in Venlaw. They were married for sixty- four wonderful years. Nellie and Earl moved to Toronto, Ontario with their son Lloyd. Nellie worked in a cookie factory and selling shoes at Simpson Sears. They moved to Atikokan, Ontario where they lost their first born in a tragic accident. Nellie was the young age of 24, this tragedy changed her forever, she never stopped her search for the meaning of life and always shared different concepts with us.

From there the family moved first to Gilbert Plains, Manitoba for a short period of time and then to Grandview, Manitoba where they raised their family for twelve years. Nellie acquired grade 12 at the Grandview Highschool. She then went to Brandon, Mb University to further her education. In 1971 they moved to Brandon for one year where Nellie went to Brandon University full time to obtain her Teaching degree. They then moved to Norway House, Manitoba for twelve years. Nellie taught with passion and love. Teaching was one her greatest joys and accomplishments. She continued to upgrade her education by attending summer school in Brandon for many years. They retired to BC in 1983. They continued to live in Sicamous for thirty-one years. They moved to Kelowna in 2014 and then to Vernon in 2016.

Nellie could be in the dictionary as the definition of strong. Never letting her own hardships from getting in the way of spreading love and light to all that knew her. You can truly see this when looking at her family and friends, who she cherished, always making every individual person feel heard and loved. We believe that is her ultimate legacy, something you can see being passed down from generation to generation, her undying love from here through eternity. Nellie lived a courageous selfless life. She was on an endless quest for knowledge, her thirst for learning never stopped.

Nellie had a strong connection to crystals and the metaphysical, to the elements, to the spiritual world. She loved to cook, to sew, to knit, to read, living life was her passion. She loved the sound of waterfalls, going to the beach, she loved fires and the stars, and the earth. She loved to be outside, gardening and walking. She loved the mountains and the lakes. Her hands were never empty, either creating something or holding a child.

She leaves behind her daughters Bernice, Heather (Harry), Audrey (Glen), Kim (Doug) and son Earl (Catherine) plus her 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She had a special bond with all of her sons- in-law’s Harry, Rob, Doug, Willie and Glen. As well she will be missed by her brother Pete and Brother in law Edward and wife Florence and Sister in law Mary.

Nellie was predeceased by husband Earl, son Lloyd, mother Annie and father Mike Holomay, Stella and Melvin Prokopowich, Tillie and Bert Ouelette, Adam and Mary Posyniak, Edward, Nick and Tony Holomay, George and Eileen Presunka and Barry Persunka. As well as her relatives Pauline and John Korzenoski, Bob and Jane Stretch, Mike and Lillian Stykylo and Frank and Stella Puchailo. Malcolm and Vickie Korzenoski and Frankie Swerda.

Those wishing to honor Nellie’s memory may do so by picking up a book and sharing it, by putting others first and sharing your smile and love. Keep Moms light and love going.

A celebration of life will occur in the future. Nellie will be loved and missed by all her family and many lifelong friends through eternity. She has left us all with many precious memories.