December 5, 2018
Our beautiful, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and auntie passed away in the late afternoon of Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Weatherby Pavilion in White Rock. She unexpectedly, quietly and gently left us. Her last three years were especially difficult. She was finally free.
Mom was born on the family farm in the Slavanka District outside of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan, the eldest of three children, to Hanna and William Konkin. Early education was in a small one-room schoolhouse. The family moved to nearby Marcelin where she graduated from high school.
Mom married John Bondoreff in January 1945. Twins, Gloria and Gordon, were born in March 1946. Raising a family, they also owned and operated a small cafe in Blaine Lake. Her culinary skills were praised. She assisted with the farm work at harvest time, later, was a telephone operator in Marcelin. Mom was petite, strong, but conditions in rural 1940's were challenging. The family moved to Prince Albert, SK, in 1952. Dad was a reporter for the Prince Albert Herald. Mom met W.A.C. Bennett when Dad ran for the Social Credit Party; John Diefenbaker and his wife Olive when Dad worked on his 1956 Federal Election Campaign. They separated in 1956. Settling in Vancouver BC in 1957, she was a BC Telephone operator; then, a clerk at Dunridge Drugs owned by her brother Ken and, later, at Payless Drugs on 4th Avenue. Mom especially enjoyed visits with all her grandchildren. In 1988, Mom moved to White Rock living many years in a condominium close to daughter and family and moving in when her mobility declined. In retirement, she enjoyed family beach walks, shopping, baking, and singing. Mom had an amazing soft soprano voice. Her harmonizing was close and effortless. She was the music teacher to her children and played the guitar having learned on her own. She attended the Lower Mainland Doukhobor Easter and Christmas meetings. Reserved and shy, she was most at ease with family.
Her parents and brothers Bill and Ken predeceased her. A Family Memorial Service was held Thursday, December 13, at Forest Lawn in Burnaby. Mom was laid to rest beside her father and mother.
Lovingly remembering Mom are: Daughter Gloria Fominoff (Peter) grandchildren , Lara, Peter, Michael (Brynn), great grandchildren Logan Beatty, Eva, Nik and Marek; Son Gordon (Vi) grandchildren, Andrei (Kelly), Nadya, Anna Dilley (Tim), great grandchildren, Makhail, Liam, Keagan and Presley; a niece and nephews.
Too soon mute gold days fill the air
A merry-go-round carousel slows
And I too must transcend
Follow a destined unknown pilgrim journey
Green golden mirth magic days.