Doris Gnyp

GNYP Doris (nee Hoobanoff) born April 7, 1930 -- July 16, 2018 aged 88 years.

Doris Gnyp; farmerette, cook extraordinaire, gardener, and compassionate soul, died just after midnight Sunday, a day before what would have been my parent’s 61st wedding anniversary, she had somewhere to be, and was never late!

     Doris was born in Kamsack but lived on a farm near Veregin where she developed her work ethic at a very young age after the death of her mother, Oxanya Hoobanoff (nee Bloodoff), when she was only 13.And while she loved school, sadly had to quit in order to help her Dad (Alexander) (deceased) on the farm. She would tell us stories of how at the age of 14 would wake-up at 4:00AM to start making breakfast and lunches for the thrashing gang working on the farm. She would clean up from that, and start all over again getting ready for supper!  Her work ethic continued as she was offered a job at Decoff’s store in Verigin along with her best friend and confident to the day she died, Ollie Picton (nee Reibin), where they “ran the place” while the owner was frequently away; some of her best memories.

     While being the matriarch at a young age was extremely difficult, it was the bond of her friends and close cousins who kept her going. That along with the dancing and singing which took place at parties after all the work was done was what fed her soul.  Somewhere in amongst all the working, dancing and singing she met and married Alfred Gnyp (deceased) in 1957. Together they raised a family until Alfred’s sudden death in 1995. In those years they had four children; Randy, Cheryl, Barry, and Brent, as well as a son, Wayne who died shortly after birth.

      They started their married life in Kamsack, but the lure of farm life beckoned our Dad, and in 1967, with the bribe of a new home, they moved to our grandparent’s farm, complete with cows, chicken’s, pigs, cats, dogs . . . and, my grandparents old farm house smack-dab in front of their new home!  But that wouldn’t last for long, as our grandparents moved into Kamsack in 1970.

     Before farmers markets were cool, our mom was growing, canning, freezing, and creating her own food from a way-too-big-for-us garden, and instilled in her children a love of berry picking (although many a raspberry fight erupted in that patch!), gardening and creating, albeit all far from our minds then. She continued to grow her own vegetables and can into her 80’s where blintsi, borscht, beet leaf holubtsi, and pyrahi became staples anytime any of her family was home. “Bought food” simply wasn’t an option.

     Doris loved flowers and kept a large yard along with the huge garden, milking cows, keeping a house, and all the rest of the chores that come along with farm life. But in 1979, she apparently thought she didn’t have enough to do and took a job at the Kamsack Union Hospital, first as a Dietary Aid then later as a Cook.  She loved her job, and worked until her retirement in 1995.

     Faith was also important to Doris, and it didn’t matter so much what denomination, as in the beginning she followed our Dad’s faith attending the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox church, even though we as kids didn’t understand much Ukrainian, actually any Ukrainian. So when asked what we could possibly be learning if we didn’t understand the language, she replied “it teaches you patience if nothing else, now get your coat!” Which is ironic given a magnet that adorned her fridge until now read: Doris’s Kitchen, God Grant me Patience . . . but please hurry!

      Towards the end of her life it was the Evangelical church she attended and the Doukhobor faith for the majority of the years in between. She had a strong belief that there was something bigger than all of us, and she’d be right, as she often was in her quiet way.

     In 1999, Doris moved off the farm into Kamsack where she continued her penchant for large flower and vegetable gardens.  By this time she also had three grandchildren who she took extreme pride in; Alexandria Cutts (23), Jacob Cutts (21), and Mikela Gnyp (20) but would often lament the fact everyone lived so very far away. She wanted to be a part of her grandchildren’s lives and watch them grow and therefore in their early years would make extended trips to Castlegar and Vancouver frequently. After moving into town she also increased her volunteer time with the Hospital Auxiliary, began curling more, and playing cards with a new group of friends. Doris also began to travel with her older brother, Peter (deceased) whom she worshipped, and stayed connected to his daughter Sharon, and sons Dennis and Bryan through visiting, and numerous cards and letters. Life was busy and full.

     In 2015, Doris decided 72 years of cleaning and maintaining a house was enough and moved into a suite at the Eaglestone Lodge. She spent her days doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, taking part in all the activities they had to offer, and her evenings spent battling with the remote in order to watch her favorite show, jeopardy, playing cards, and talking with fellow residents. There she was also reacquainted with many old friends, but none as special as her dear friend, Helen Konkin. Often seen walking together Doris would comment she was Helen’s eyes and Helen her ears, and in her final few days took great comfort in their friendship.

     As our role model she taught us the value of hard work, to never live beyond your means, and to always be kind. So in the spirit of kindness, the family hopes that in place of a donation or flowers you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone more unfortunate than yourself in her name.

     It was Doris’s wish that no service take place, however, a celebration of life will be held at the Eaglestone Lodge on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. To leave a note of condolence for the family please visit Wolkowski.ca 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Gnyp, please visit our floral store.