Leona Alexandra Marchuk

Leona Alexandra Marchuk

1930 - 2025

It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Leona Alexandra Marchuk (née Dereniwsky) on July 28, 2025, in Swan River, Manitoba. Leona was a cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose loving spirit and vitality touched all who knew her.

She is lovingly remembered by her six children: Kelvin, Edwin (Cindy), Sheryl, Carol (Aidan), Lyle (Jocelyn), and Andrea (Kyle); as well as her grandchildren: Jody (Ross), Kiley, Loren (Jason), Karrlyn (Shane), Karter (Cathryn), Seamus, Nolan, Michael, Brooke, and Jason (Candice); and nine great-grandchildren: Megan, Eadan, Nevan, Brody, Kallie, Maelynn, Myles, Millie and Emmett.  She also leaves behind her youngest sister, Livinia Langenfurth.

Leona was predeceased by her beloved husband, Michael; parents, Dora and Eli Dereniwsky; and sisters, Mary Kobelka, Olga Lylyk, Ann Oleck, Emelia Petryshyn, and Adeline Lumley.

Born on October 6, 1930, as the sixth of seven daughters near Veregin, Saskatchewan, Leona worked alongside her parents on the family homestead for many years and also spent a period in Windsor, Ontario, where she honed her culinary skills.  She married Michael Marchuk on July 17, 1955, and they continued to farm in the area until 1962 when they moved to the Swan River Valley near Lenswood to build their lives and raise their six children on the family farm which they managed until their retirement. Today, this farm remains part of the homesteads of Lyle and Karter Marchuk and their families.

Leona was a woman of deep faith and strong convictions, whose work ethic, high energy and tenacity were unmatched by all who knew her. She was deeply proud of her six children and all her grandchildren, who knew her as “Baba.” No one could make perogies, cinnamon buns, scuffles, or donuts like Baba, as she made everything with love and took great pride in nourishing those around her. She was cut from a rare cloth—her unwavering love and dedication to her husband, children and the farm were truly incomparable.

Her legacy of hard work, love, and dedication lives on through her children and grandchildren. Leona will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

 Mothers hold their children’s hands only for a while, but their hearts forever. Rest in peace Mom.