We Remember
TOKARIK, Caroline “Carrie”
January 6, 1919 — April 15, 2024
Caroline “Carrie” Tokarik was born on January 6, 1919 in the Whitkow, Saskatchewan district. She was one of five surviving children of Nicholas and Marianna Kowalsky (2 sisters had died in infancy). In 1927, the Kowalsky family moved to the Richard farming district, where Caroline and her siblings attended Ellastone and Willow Springs schools. Nicholas was a blacksmith by trade, so he also operated a blacksmith shop on the farmyard. There was a lot of work to keep the entire family busy.
Caroline was struck by tuberculosis in the 1940s and spent 2 years in the TB Sanatorium in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. It was during this hospitalization that she learned many handiwork skills such as crochet, tatting, knitting, and sewing. She later became such a skilled seamstress she designed and sewed her own beautiful wedding gown.
In the 1940s it was common for young people from Saskatchewan to move to Ontario where jobs were available in the auto industry. Caroline, some of her cousins and many friends made this move. One of these friends was William Tokarik. Caroline had cousins who had already established their lives in Oshawa. This made it easy for the Saskatchewan newcomers to get settled there.
Caroline and Bill were married in Oshawa in 1949. They later moved back to Whitkow where they farmed till moving to North Battleford in 1957.
In the early 1950s, Caroline suffered a recurrence of tuberculosis. This time, in addition to a lengthy hospitalization, she had surgery to remove part of her lung. Later in life she endured another health scare involving cancer and more surgery.
Upon moving to North Battleford, Bill became interested in carpentry and woodwork. He enrolled in the Moose Jaw Technical School. Caroline and Bill had aspirations of owning their own building business, preferably in a warmer climate. In 1966, they moved to Rutland, BC.
With hard work, good management, and successful teamwork they were soon building homes, selling homes, and building more. Bill was framing and building using his sub trades while Caroline was finishing on the inside taping, sanding, and painting. Caroline was also an excellent cook and homemaker. We, as her nieces, all learned many useful “household hints” from her.
As the years went by, Bill and Caroline made many close friends. They enjoyed travelling and made many winter trips to warmer destinations with their friends.
Caroline and Bill were active, hardworking volunteers in all aspects of their community. They were devoted members of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kelowna, always willing to help. Caroline was an active member of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, Kelowna branch. Caroline and Bill spearheaded the founding, funding, and building of the Orchard Haven Senior’s Condominium.
Caroline was predeceased by her loving husband Bill; her parents Nicholas and Marianna Kowalsky; brothers Thomas (Natalie) Kowalsky and Peter (Alice) Kowalsky; sisters Katherine (Peter) Malisky and Nellie (Mike) Nychyk; nephews Gordon Nychyk, Victor Kowalsky, and Myron Kowalsky, and great nephew Darrell Yuzik.
Caroline is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and great-great-great nieces and nephews on both the Kowalsky and Tokarik sides of the family.
With the Great Blessings of our Lord, Caroline was able to overcome her life-threatening health issues, help her husband through recovery after his stroke, and live a full and active life to 105 years of age.
Funeral will be held on FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM, located at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. Private family interment to follow.
The family would like to thank the many staff members at Lake Country Lodge Retirement Care Community for the exceptional care our Auntie has received over the last year and a half. God bless you all.
Flowers graciously declined by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ukrainian Museum of Canada in memory of Caroline “Carrie”.
MEMORY ETERNAL
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LIVESTREAM:
Service
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024, AT 1:00 PM
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
Share with Others:
Ukrainian Museum of Canada Link: www.umcnational.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for TOKARIK, Caroline “Carrie” is scheduled for FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024, AT 1:00 PM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
My sincere condolences to Carrie’s nieces and nephews. She was a wonderful sister-in-law. She will be happy to be with Bill again.
Sending condolences to the family. Bill and Carrie were good friends of my parents, Carl and Frieda Madsen. Dad and Bill built houses together while Mom and Carrie helped with the finishing work. They travelled together. They spent many a night playing cards. Now all four are together again, probably playing Kaiser! Cherish your memories. 💚
Memory Eternal. I had only met Carrie a few times while delivering church shut in baskets while helping in the Parish kitchen of Sts Peter and Paul. Her time in the parish and kitchen is legendary and her love and stories live on amongst the community. I was honoured to have met her and share in the stories.
Вічная Памʼять -Memory Eternal
Terri Ellis