The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
FRANCES EMILY MYMKO (KOWALSKI) Frances was born on June 24, 1927 in Kozlow, Poland, which is now part of the Ukraine. She came to Canada in 1928 when she was 10 months old. She grew up on a farm close to Skylake which is near Arborg, Manitoba, along with her sister Sophie and brothers Bernie and Mike. She attended school two miles down the road. At age 16, Frances left the farm to work in Winnipeg at the Standard Cafe as a waitress. She returned home a couple of years later. Then in 1947, Frances travelled to Flin Flon to work at the Northern Cafe as a waitress. This is where Frances met John Mymko and they were married on January 17, 1948. Frances became a homemaker and kept busy with renting rooms in their large home and raising her son Alen and daughter Kathy. Frances often said that she gained her freedom at age 62 when she got her driver's licence. She was a member of St. Ann's Parish, the Catholic Women's League, the Flin Flon Horticultural Society, and a Certified Horticultural Society Judge. Frances loved gardening, crocheting, enjoyed horticultural activities, and don't get in her way when the Blue Jays were on TV. Frances planted so many flowers in front of her home that people walking by would stop to take pictures of the flowers, and even pose for pictures with Frances while standing in front of the flowers. Because of all the flowers in her yard, she got the nickname of "Flower Lady". She also enjoyed the almost daily visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her other passion was dancing, and thanks to her good friend, John Sorensen, her dream came true as they attended almost every social function, and boy could they dance. Frances had a very good sense of humour and she would like to remind everyone that you can live as happy as she did if you have a good laugh at something every day. So with that thought in mind, Frances would likely say "smile and remember me." Frances passed away on September 14, 2007 at the Flin Flon General Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents Frank (Polly Krokosz) Kowalski, her husband John, her sister Sophie (Bill) Huziy, and her brothers Bernie (Grace Fraser) Kowalski and Mike (Petrease Grzenda) Kowalski. She is survived by her son Alen (Laurel) Mymko; daughter Kathy (Joe) McCormick; grandchildren Ken Mymko, Lisa (Matt) Lies, and Kristi McCormick; great grandchildren Nicholas, Paige and Ryan Lies, and Kira McCormick-Adema; sister-in-law Catherine Kowalski as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a very special man John Sorensen. Funeral services were held in Flin Flon on September 20, 2007 at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church with Father Denis Bourbonnais OMI as celebrant. Honourary pallbearer was John Sorensen. Active pallbearers were Matt Lies, Harold Romo, Bob Quinn, Dallas Mymko, Harry Antoniw, and Bob Putko. The ushers were Joan Gillis and Angie Persson. Memorial register attendants were Marie Muench and Mena Fernandes. The eulogy was read by Judy Zimmer and the organist was Holly Barron. Interment took place at Hillside Cemetery where Frances will rest in peace beside her husband. We thank Dr. Kucparic for the years of care, Dr. Sethi for your attentive care lately, John Sorensen for getting Mother to the hospital, Dr. Amin, ER staff and EMT's who tried so valiantly to help Mother. We thank Fr. Denis for your visits to Mother, Darren Grant and Bayley Maynard for your compassion and guidance, the Catholic Women's League for prayers and the lunch, everyone who took part in the funeral mass, our cousins and out-of-town friends who travelled to be with us, our wonderful circle of friends for the phone calls, floral tributes, food, and cards that were sent to our homes. We thank Lisa and Matt Lies for opening your home and the supper after the funeral. We thank everyone who offered us hugs, comfort, and condolences to help us through this difficult time as we have lost someone who was a big part of all our lives. God bless you all and many thanks from Alen Mymko, Kathy McCormick, and our families.
