The Obituary of Pauline Machnee

Peacefully, on Friday, July 4, 2025, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Pauline Machnee, passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital, Winnipeg, MB., at the remarkable age of 101. Pauline was born at the family farm near Tolstoi on December 26, 1923, attended Bradley School, married Nick Machnee in 1943 and lived in Gardenton for about 60 years. After Nick passed away, Pauline lived in Vita for a few years, then enjoyed life at the Millenium Villa for the last 14 years. She enjoyed meeting with residents at the villa for coffee and conversation, joining perogy making bees, and always enjoyed visits from her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some of her greatest thrills were her 100th and 101st birthday parties along with messages from politicians and King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Pauline’s legacy lives on through her children; Donald (Diane), Gerald (Carol), Iris (Paul), grandchildren, Jennifer, Janice (Mike), Matthew, Michael (Cheryl), Karen, Steven(Caroline), and great-grandchildren, Lucas, Sydney, Logan and Nicholas. She will also be loving remembered by numerous relatives and friends. She was affectionately known as “Baba” or “Great Baba” to the children. Pauline was pre-deceased by her husband, Nick, parents Dmytro and Elena Kozak, brothers and sisters; John(Julia), Maria, Hania, Anna, Petro, Myhaylo, Paul(Mary), Wasyl, Mary (John) Rybuck), Peter(Verna), Nettie (Anton) Tofan, Olga; granddaughter-in-law, Keiko Ogura. Pauline was deeply devoted to her family throughout every season of life. First, it was the family farm, then it was raising their children, then doting on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and her husband Nick were always there for everyone with their time and love. Her hospitality was known to many—friends and visiting relatives from afar recall how she could create a feast in minutes ensuring no one ever left her home hungry. But her kindness and dedication did not stop there. She was very active in the community with the Women’s Association, Gardenton Museum, Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Gardenton, including the Historic St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Nick and Pauline were instrumental in the restoration of the Historic Church and proudly conducted many tours as visitors came by. Pauline never lost her encyclopedia memory and was a great source of historic information. The Machnee family thanks the homecare workers who enabled Pauline to live on her own at the villa as well as the staff at Fred Douglas Personal Care Home and the Grace and Seven Oaks Hospitals for their care the last few months.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT