Niznik – Genovia (Jenny) Victoria Niznik passed away on the 20th of December 2023, in Brooks, Alberta, at the age of 101 years. She was born on the 13th of November 1922, at Nightingale, Alberta to parents Dmetro and Mary (Skakun) Woycenko. Her father was a section foreman for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company from April of 1912 until August of 1950, so she moved frequently as a child, living in the CPR houses of the towns that dotted the rail lines of yesteryear. As she was the eldest living child, she found herself with responsibility at an early age, assisting in the care for her 4 siblings that followed her, as her mother would take advantage of the perks of a rail pass and visited relatives in other parts of the province. After Nightingale, these included stops in Lathom, Acme, Gleichen and finally Cassils in 1939. The bulk of her youth was in Lathom, where most of her schooling was completed, but also included a stay with relatives in Edmonton for some of her high school studies. While the family was residing at Cassils, a farmer from nearby Antelope Creek caught her attention and on August 10th,1940 she married John Simon Niznik and made the move 6 miles to the southwest. It was here, in Antelope Creek, that she spent most of her life, on the farm. They welcomed their first son John Jr. (Jack) in 1941, followed by Fiona (1942), George (1945), Ronald (1947) and finally Patrick (1954). Life was not easy, as a mother and farm wife in this era, with few conveniences and a lot of hard work on a daily basis. She always worked hard, maintaining a large garden and her kids recalled the list of nightly chores that she recited: “Wood. Water. Coal. Ashes. Slop bucket.”. The household got electricity in the early fifties, when a neighbor paid for his grass rental, by trading a Kohler power plant, that was kept in the porch. This was used until the late fifties when Calgary Power came to the area. In addition to the many hardships that came with farm life and as a mother, she endured the agony of losing her youngest child, Pat, to an accident on the farm in 1976, which had deep impacts on her for the rest of her life. Grandma/Aunty Jenny and the farm is a place fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whether it was a short visit or an extended summer stay, it brought many happy memories. The guests always welcomed and appreciated the stability and order that came from their time removed from busy, chaotic lives in the city. She continued on the farm, even after John’s passing in 1985 and still owned cows until 2007, at 85 years of age. Jenny enjoyed travelling to visit relatives in the States, and a trip to Hawaii to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. After being widowed, there were many more travel highlights including: a trip to the Netherlands, Germany and Austria (with three granddaughters and daughter in law); visiting relatives in Northern Alberta, Minneapolis (with sister and niece), England and Ukraine (with Fiona); bus trips to Moosejaw and the East Coast; several trips to Florida to visit Ron and his family, including the last trip in 2008, which included Disneyworld at 85-with 4 and 5 year old great grandchildren (Brad and family). In the early years she was involved with the United Farm Women’s Association, lobbying for the Antelope Creek School and then later as a member of the Antelope Creek Ladies Club. Other notable activities included bowling, curling and later swimming, as part of a ladies group, and found it extra special when Cathy would come down to Brooks and take her to the pool, as recently as her days at Newbrook. Finally, her life on the farm would not be complete without talking about morning coffee time at her house, where her family would gather daily and were often joined by neighbors, crowding up to ten people in her tiny kitchen and definitely exceeding the capacity of her floor joists. In 2001 she purchased the duplex in Brooks, but town life was not to her liking and she spent very little time there and preferred life on the farm. At the age of 90, with failing eyesight, she lost her license (and the freedom that came with her car) but remained on the farm until her 92nd birthday, in 2014. She thoughtfully made the decision to move into Brooks and resided at Newbrook Lodge until January of 2020, when dementia forced the move to Sunrise Gardens for the final (nearly) four years. It was at this time that she fondly went back to her youth and had frequently just arrived there on the train. Genovia was predeceased by: her husband John (1985); parents Dmetro (1967) and Mary (1985) Woycenko; son Patrick (1976); sisters Veselka (1918), Elizabeth White (2015), Olga Karasek (1994) and brothers John (2010), William (2004); brother in law George White (1987), Ben Karasek (2014) and sister-in-law Mary Woycenko (2006); nephew Robert White (1988); great grandson Dawson Peterson (2000). Survived by: children: John Jr.; Fiona (Ed) Forner; George (Joan); Ron (Glenda); daughter-in-law Donna Grandchildren: Cathy Forner (Marie); Cori Forner; Christine Forner; Tracy Niznik (Ross); Brad (Kristen); Bruce (Jodi); Wanita Peterson; Lori Smids (Matt); Dustin (Cathy); Aaron; Charity; great grandchildren: Alea Smaniotto (Aus), Aryk Smaniotto (Tessa); Jon (Maddy), Zach, Jillian Proudfoot; Brooklyn, Brett Niznik; Kate, Sarah, Eva Niznik; Tianna (Daryien), Logan Peterson; Christina (Kyle) Lake, Damon (Taryn) Smids; Jolene Niznik; great great granddaughter: Dallas Smids; nieces and nephews: Karen (Ernie), Dianne, Rick (Laura) Woycenko; George, Tim (Susan) White, Gloria Lennard) Sihlis; Judy Mary (Bruce) Llewellyn, David (Jan) Karasek as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, January 6th at 1:00 PM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante Celebrant. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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