Peacefully, at home, with her husband at her side, the Servant of God, Christina Mariash, fell asleep in the Lord, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
Christina was born in a little log cabin on the Brokenhead Reserve, Scanterbury on August 7, 1948. Tina received her primary education in the on-reserve two room school. At age 14, she went to live with her grandparents in Winnipeg. Returning to Scanterbury a few years later, she found employment as the first Band Manager for the Brokenhead Band when the “Indian Agent” was first devolved to the bands in the mid-60’s. When an opportunity arose for an aboriginal Teacher’s Aide at Happy Thought School, East Selkirk, Tina applied and happily filled that position. She had found her true vocation as a teacher. Through BUNTEP, a teacher training program offered by Brandon University, Tina, over the course of several years, obtained her Bachelor of Education degree. It was during her teacher training at Brandon University that she met the love of her life, Leonard, who happened to be at a Principal’s Conference in Brandon. A long distance courtship ensued with Christina teaching in Bloodvein First Nation and Leonard serving as principal in the First Nation community of Oxford House. They married the next summer, on August 10, 1980, in Leonard’s childhood church, Holy Trinity Church, in the Beausejour Pioneer Village. Two kids who grew up along the Brokenhead River, began their 40 years of married life in Garden Hill First Nation where their much loved son began his life. They moved to Winnipeg in 1985 and became deeply involved with the St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church. Tina joined the St. Anne Branch of the U.C.W.L.C. and spent many happy hours helping with the many Ladies League projects. She often remembered Mikey’s warning of making sure that the potatoes were peeled just right. She served as Branch President for one year, but her love for teaching beckoned. She then went on to teach in the First Nation communities of Little Grand Rapids, St. Theresa Point, Brokenhead and Opaskwiak. Unfortunately, her health did not allow her to continue
Tina was a wonderful lady who made friends easily with her winning smile and people loving personality. She loved jewelry, often admired by many, with the fingers on both hands often covered with her diamond rings. A cat lover, she conceded to love our wiener dog, Stripe, and missed him very much. She loved to watch and talk about the antics of her “Mr. Squirrly” and the blue jays fighting for peanuts in the back yard. Not a gardener herself, she insisted that potatoes be planted in our garden. To her, a meal wasn’t a meal unless potatoes were served. She loved playing cards especially cribbage. She kept in phone contact with her many friends and relatives. The proudest and happiest time of her life was the birth of her son, Theodore. She had expressed a wish, many times over, to have her body rest in St. Anne Church, the night before the funeral but this is not to be; her picture, will, however, rest by the Holy Family icon at the church on that night.
Christina is survived by her loving husband, Leonard and her devoted son, Theodore and fiancée Stefania. Coming from a large family she is survived by her brothers and sisters, Louis, Cecil, Nancy, Adeline, Eva, Destiny and Sophie and numerous nieces and nephews.
A nephew, Michael, and a niece, Theresa, Sixties Scoop kids, were especially dear to her heart. She was predeceased by her parents Mary Ann (nee Chief) and Walter Olson and brothers and sisters Patricia, Sybil, Emma, Abert, John, George and Joseph.
Special thanks to our neighbours Ron and Michelle Schur, my sister Marge, for their friendship and for all the help over the past few months. Thank you to Anne Penonzek for her friendship and to Anne and Fr. Allan for serving communion to Tina at home.
The beautiful Ukrainian Catholic funeral service, Parastas, will be celebrated with the immediate family at Sobering Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at the St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic cemetery in Thalberg. A larger celebration of life will follow in the new year.
Farewell, my love, but not goodbye. You don’t have to suffer anymore.
“To your servant, O Lord, who has fallen asleep, grant rest in a place of light, a place of verdure and a place of tranquility, from which pain, sorrow and mourning have fled.”
Vichnaya Pam’yat!
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Ron & Michelle Schur
We send our love and strength to you Len and Ted during this most difficult time in your lives. It is with a very sad broken heart the friendship that grew over the years has been one. We will mourn and treasure at the same time. We find peace in knowing you are no longer in pain , and the memories we will cherish for the rest of our days.
Till we meet again my friend , you will always be more then a friend to me and the love I felt for you will never leave . It’s with just a spray of Chanel #5 away that will forever bring me back to our hugs and laughter ❤️
Love
Ron and Michell Schur
Leonard James Mariash
Dear Ron and Michelle
Thank you for your message of condolence to Ted and me and for being wonderful neighbours. Tina was always happy when you called or visited. WE are comforted to know that she isn’t suffering any more.
Len and Ted
Fred Mills
I’m sorry to hear of Tina’s passing. I only met her a few times but she always was a joy to see. Len, Michele and I send our prayers and thoughts to you and your family.
Leonard James Mariash
Dear Fred
Thank you for your much appreciated condolences. It was nice to hear from you again.
Len
Karen & Rick Veale
Tina was such a joy to be with, and I always looked forward to see what new dress she had for those church events. We would always receive a huge smile and hugs whenever we saw her. She was very spiritual and an inspiration in faith. We still have the beautiful cross Leanne made while in Tina’s catechism class and I think of Tina every time I see it. Our deepest sympathies for you Len and Theodore; she is finally out of suffering. She will be missed.
Leonard Mariash
Dear Karen and Rick
Thank you for your message of condolence and your memories. Tina often talked about her experiences and her students while teaching catechism.
Len
Russell Wychreschuk
Leonard and Family:
It is with the deepest sympathy that we express our condolences to you.
We hope that the memories of all the good and happy times help ease the loss.
Take care of yourselves and your families.
Eugenie and Russell
Leonard Mariash
Dear Russell and Eugenie
Thank you for your much appreciated message of condolence. I have many good memories of my dear wife, Tina, and often think about her in a now very quiet house. Thank you for your friendship over the past many years; Russell and I go back to the good old days in Brokenhead School.
Len
Maryka Chabluk
Dearest Len and Ted,
We have you and your loved ones in our prayers at this time. Knowing Tina, and having known her with her wonderful warm smile and sense of humor, we trust she will be deeply missed. May God continue to give you strength and fill you with HIs peace and love knowing Tina will always be with you in spirit.
Sincerely,
Maryka and Bill Chabluk
Leonard Mariash
Dear Maryka and Bill
Thank you so very much for your message of condolence to Ted and me. It is very kind of you to write and remember us. Tina had many wonderful qualities and often filled the room with her wonderful smile. She wanted so much to have her funeral at St. Anne Church, but, at least, her picture was in St. Anne church before her burial.
Len and Ted
Rev. Protodeacon Stefan Tyrawski
Sincere condolences to you all for your loss.
May our God welcome her into the Heavenly Kingdom.
Vichnaya Pam’yat!
Leonard Mariash
Dear Protodeacon
Thank you so very much for your message of condolence and your prayer for Tina’s welcome in God’s Kingdom. It was very kind of you to write.
Len
Adeline Kopp
My condolences on the loss of your wife Tina. May she Rest In Peace! Hang on to all the fond memories that will sustain you in the days ahead.
Adeline Kopp (Hintz)
Leonard Mariash
Dear Adeline
Thank you for thinking of me and for your message of condolence. I often think of our days growing up on the farm in Brokenhead and walking to school together. I don’t know how we got to school and back and didn’t freeze to death crossing the open prairie but we somehow managed. Our parents were good friends and our families are good friends. Your friendship is very much appreciated.
Len
David & Gloria Bibby
Dear Len &Ted
We send our Prayers & Peace of the Lord in your time of pain. A wife of 40 years is someone to treasure, love, & share a Spiritual journey with. Tina was a lady who was warm hearted & very free spirited. She was always smiling with a welcome and had gifted visions to explore for her culture. May she be remembered by all who had the privilege to meet her. Tina’s Catholic faith gave her strength during her illness to share many years with her family & friends. Vichnaya Pamyat ! Blessings Gloria & David Bibby
Leonard Mariash
Dear David and Gloria
Thank you for your very kind words in your message of condolence and for your phone calls. Tina had many wonderful qualities and was very proud of her aboriginal culture. She found comfort in her faith and in being part of the wonderful St. Anne Church family.
Len
Beverley Cirella
So sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Tina. Cherish the memories.
Niece Beverley
Leonard Mariash
My Dear Niece Beverley
Thank you for your kind message of condolence and for the very nice phone call that we had. It is god to have many good memories of our life together for the past 41 years.
Love,
Uncle Len
Cathy Watch-Dueck
Dear Len. I was sorry to read about Tina’s passing in Saturday’s paper. I know that you were very devoted to each other and shared your lives to the max. I remember Tina as being very nice and welcoming whenever I met her at church. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time. Вічна її пам’ять.
Leonard Mariash
Dear Cathy
Thank you for your kind message of condolence and for sharing your memories of Tina. Tina had a wonderful welcoming personality and enjoyed her many St. Anne Church friendships. Your prayers are very much appreciated.
Len
Jane Zarnowski
Len, my sincere sympathies to you and Ted. Tina was always a joy to talk to and her warm smile and accepting nature always brought a smile to my face. I so enjoyed our conversations when I called to chat and regret that I didn’t call more often. Take care of yourself my friend.
Jane Zarnowski
Leonard Mariash
Dear Jane
Thank your for lovely message of condolence, for sharing your memories, your friendship and for your recent phone call. Tina always enjoyed her phone calls with you. She had a wonderful smile and a welcoming personality and will be missed by her many friends. Take care of yourself and don’t let INAC, or whatever they call it these days, get to you.
Len
Madeleine Michaud
Dearest Len and Ted
I had the pleasure of working with Tina during her social work days in the mid-late 80’s when Ted was just a young boy and you were still working at INAC. Tina was rarely without a smile and always had an incredible sense of humor. She brought energy and sparkle to the work place. The energy emanated from her being and the sparkle came from her mischievous eyes, her quick smile and the gorgeous rings on her hands! The Mary Kay makeup, never absent, always carefully applied, just added to the shine!
She loved her son and told me the story once about how Ted’s soccer/football coach was very excited to see a tall young boy (i am thinking he was maybe 6/7 at the time) join his team. He was looking forward to having a competitive edge over the rest of the much smaller players in the league! During a game early in the season Tina lost track of her son and and after doing a quick visual search, found him him sitting on the ground (rather than manning his position), examining a beautiful flower growing wild in the play field. She chuckled over that and figured that although a career in competitive sports was likely not in his future, that her beautiful son would grow up to be gentle hearted, analytical and one who would take time to recognize and take pleasure in the beauty around him. She was good with that! Over the years since, Tina always found time to update me on Ted’s well being. She was incredibly proud of his accomplishments but never boastful even though she certainly would have had good reason to be.
Her heart was full of love and respect for her son and for her husband. That message has always been consistent in the 30 years i knew her and had contact with her. Tina and I have had many, many conversations over the years and never once did she ever have anything other than kind words for her loving husband. I know that sounds far fetched, because, who can be with someone for 40 years without voicing even a minor complaint about them? Never once. How amazing is that? It says a lot about her. It says a lot about you Len. It says a lot about your love and respect for one another.
I will miss her deeply! Many will miss her. But i know that the two of you, the two who loved her best and whom she loved best, will miss her the most and for all time! I am so sorry for your loss but know that she will have left you many happy memories to smile and laugh over until you can see each other again.
Most sincerely,
Madeleine & Gerald
Leonard Mariash
Dear Madeleine and Gerald
Thank you for your kind message of condolence and for sharing your memories of Tina. Tina often spoke of her work at Social Services and maintained contacted with her friends from that time in her life. Thank you for sharing the boy with the flower story; Tina loved to tell this story. She was very proud of her son. Tina and I had a good life together; the sad part was the last ten years when, in failing health, we couldn’t travel any more. Her big dream was to go to Rome and see the pope and greet him with her wonderful smile.
Thank you for being a true friend with Tina.
Len
Adam Ferman
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Vichnaya Pamyat
Leonard Mariash
Dear Adam
Thank you for your kind message of condolence. Our hope is that our Lord will remember her forever in His heavenly kingdom.
Len
Paul and Connie krawchuk
Our heartfelt condolences to Leonard and family. I met Tina many years ago she was a very pleasant happy person and always smiling. May your memories never fade.