DOUKHOBOR-L Archives

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Subject: Obit - Mary Konkin
Date: 9 Feb 2006 09:27:05 -0700

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Surnames: Konkin, Shkuratow, Osachoff
Classification: Obituary

Message Board URL:

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/TRC.2ACE/1265

Message Board Post:

Obituary taken from the Kamsack Times, dated January 19, 2006:

KONKIN: Mary (Maria Fedorovna) Shkuratow/Konkin, our mother, was born on Nov. 15, 1911 in the Russian Doukhobor village of Savetnaya, east of Mikado, to pioneer parents, Fred (Feodor MIkhailovich) and Polly (Palagaya Simyonovna) Osachoff, into a family of four brothers and one sister.

She attended grades one to eight, passing with an average of 81% into Grade 9 at Pretty Valley School, 1 1/2 miles west of the family farm. Her teacher at that time, Mrs. Eric Barschel (nee Evelyn Bettes) encouraged Mary to further her education, but she chose to stay and help on the family farm.

On this farm, she helped her parents, brothers and sister - babysitting, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and milking cows, working out in the field, gardening and prserving the wonderful, wholesome, organic produce in canning jars which were stored in the root cellar. The needs of the family for gracing the table were totally supplied by this farm - garden produce, milk, cream, sour cream, yogurt, eggs, chicken, beef and lamb. The only things that were purchased were surgar, salt, flour, tea, kerosene and matches.

Wool from the sheep was used to make quilts; make yarn for socks, mitts, scarves and sweaters. After her marriage to Peter John Shkuratow on Nov. 5, 1936, she continued doing what she knew best in loving an dcaring for her family and extended family.

In October 1947, she and dad moved to the Village of Veregin where he ran an auto mechanic's shop alongside farming the 240 acres, 5 miles NW of Veregin, 1 1/2 miles west of the Tolstoi School.

In the early years in Veregin, she contributed to the family income by raising chickens, milking the cow and selling the milk and cream to some of the town residents, until a town bylaw prohibited livestock in the town limits.

Her father-in-law, John Shkuratow, our "Deda", helped by grazing the cow along the road allowances during the day, digging and weeding the garden, being with his children and grandchildren, helping his son on the farm.

Mom loved to knit, crochet, and sew for her family. We were blessed with the home-tailored, beautiful clothes; the knitted socks, mitts, scarves and sweaters. And, the furniture in our homes are still adorned with her crocheted doilies, dresser scarves, and so on. Thank you dearest Mom.

Mary loved gardening - her vegetable garden was so bountiful and good. Surrounding the house and in front of this garden were beautiful petunias, asters, and allysum.

Our pioneer mother shared her gifts and talents with the community. In the 1950's, she helped the local 4-H club as secretary-treasurer; also helping with baby showers, wedding showers and weddings, and funerals. She was an avid curler and did great at it. She was also a member of the New Horizons Seniors' Centre in Veregin.

In 1976, Mom and W.W.A. (Bill) Konkin began life together. They, too, grew a lovely garden which they shared with family and friends. They spent time at their cabin at Madge Lake, enjoying the sport of fishing as well as taking part in curling. And, they travelled.

After Bill's death, mom stayed at her home until she moved to Eaglestone Lodge. Then, in August 2003, she moved into the Long-term Care Facility at the Kamsack Hospital.

Our families say "thank you" to Drs. Davies and Bishop; to the Home Support workers; to Meals on Wheels staff and organizers; to the recreation directors and clients at both Eaglestone Lodge and Long Term Care; to the various clergy who visited with her. Specialy thanks to Trudy Millin, Lavern Swetlikoff, Joan Malynet, Bonita Wonitoway, Brenda Walsh, Phyllis Strelioff, Noreen Boyd and Lillian Cherkas.

On January 6, 2006, Mary died with her granddaughter, Michelle Irvine; niece Linda Kuzema; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Osachoff at her side.

She was predeceased by her parents: brothers Pete in 1979, Fred in 1993, and Bill in 1997; her first huband Peter John Shkuratow in 1974 and second husband Bill Konkin in 1984.

She leaves to mourn her death and celebrate her life: Her loving sister Pauline Kutchen of Calgary; a brother, Sam (Molly) Osachoff of Edmonton; sister Pauline (late Frank) Elliot of Westbank, BC; and Evelyn (late Bill) Osachoff of Canora; two daughters, Pauline (Don) Miskovich of Jaffray BC (Rosen Lake) and Margaret (Andrew) Kuzma of Canora, Sask.; four grandchildren, Dale (Karen) Miskovich of Calgary, Darrel (Joni) Miskovich of Vernon, BC, Sean (Stacey) Kuzma of St. Albert and Michelle (Craig) Irvine of Kamsack, Sask.; sisx great-grandchildren, Melissa and Selina Miskovich of Calgary, Cassidy and Chloe Irvine of Kamsack, and Laren and Drew Kuzma of St. Albert, Alta; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mom taught us all to always speak kindly and with respect to our elders. She had unwaivering faigh, filled with persevererance. She was a role model of what is decent and good in life.

We love you so much, Mom, Bab, Little Baba, sister, cousin and aunt. Thank you. You are at peace now.

Burial was on Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Veregin Cemetery.

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