Obituary for Anastasia Susan Jelinski (Kowalczyk)
Anastasia Susan Jelinski
September 1, 1930 - June 26, 2020
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of an incredibly beautiful life. Beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Anastasia (Nancy) Jelinski, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2020 at her home in Abbotsford, BC.
Nancy lived her life with such a light that the immense weight of her passing is felt by so many. We will miss her huge heart, the generous way in which she gave her love, her passion for her family and friends, her caring nature, her humor, her stories, and her inspirational faith in God. She did not find joy in material things, but instead through quality time with those she loved and the chance to nurture and care for others. We are so grateful to have been blessed with a woman like Nancy in our lives.
Nancy was born in Chicago, IL in 1930, the sixth child of Julia and John Kowalczyk. She grew up in the Catholic Church. On January 23, 1954 she married Henry Jelinski and they soon bought a house on Chicago's southwest side, where they raised their six children. In 1969, they bought a cottage in Wisconsin where the family spent summers and many weekends throughout the year creating wonderful memories. In 1974, Nancy and Henry made the decision to move the family from Chicago to Prince George, B.C., where they purchased a McDonald's franchise. Nancy was always very supportive of Henry's business ambitions, in his words, "she was the pillar of strength that held the family together". In 1977, the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C. to open a new McDonald's location and they became part of the St. Ann's Catholic Church Parish. In 1992, the couple sold the McDonald's franchise and purchased the John Deere dealership in Abbotsford. They eventually added locations in Langley, Saanichton, and Duncan B.C. Nancy would visit the Abbotsford and Langley stores on many Saturdays. The family remains involved with PrairieCoast Equipment.
There is not a person who knew Nancy that does not have a repertoire of memories to cherish of the things that she said or did to make us feel so special and so loved. She was an incredible force of love and togetherness. Nancy’s children and grandchildren meant the world to her. She was the head of the table at many family gatherings throughout each year, and she cherished the time that her family was able to come together. She took such joy in hearing the stories of her family and sharing her own stories with them. She was always there encouraging and supporting those she loved in all that they did.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her son Howie, and her siblings Rose, Anne, Jean, Casey, and Violet. She is survived by her loving children Marty (Tami) Jelinski, Norbert (Gayle) Jelinski, Paul Jelinski, Judy (Rod) Dahl, Dave (Sherri) Jelinski, and Howie’s spouse Michelle Jelinski; grandchildren Alivia and Liana Jelinski, Zak Dahl, Joel and Lance Jelinski, Anna Jelinski, and Steven and Matthew Reisinger; and many loving nieces and nephews.
To honor the beautiful memory of her life, we should all strive to live our lives with love, kindness, humor, faith, and a welcoming and generous spirit. Her love was present in every breath she took, and she has left us all with a legacy of love that we are charged to carry on in our own lives.
A formal mass to celebrate Nancy’s life will be held at a later date.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
Josh Groban
September 1, 1930 - June 26, 2020
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of an incredibly beautiful life. Beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Anastasia (Nancy) Jelinski, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2020 at her home in Abbotsford, BC.
Nancy lived her life with such a light that the immense weight of her passing is felt by so many. We will miss her huge heart, the generous way in which she gave her love, her passion for her family and friends, her caring nature, her humor, her stories, and her inspirational faith in God. She did not find joy in material things, but instead through quality time with those she loved and the chance to nurture and care for others. We are so grateful to have been blessed with a woman like Nancy in our lives.
Nancy was born in Chicago, IL in 1930, the sixth child of Julia and John Kowalczyk. She grew up in the Catholic Church. On January 23, 1954 she married Henry Jelinski and they soon bought a house on Chicago's southwest side, where they raised their six children. In 1969, they bought a cottage in Wisconsin where the family spent summers and many weekends throughout the year creating wonderful memories. In 1974, Nancy and Henry made the decision to move the family from Chicago to Prince George, B.C., where they purchased a McDonald's franchise. Nancy was always very supportive of Henry's business ambitions, in his words, "she was the pillar of strength that held the family together". In 1977, the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C. to open a new McDonald's location and they became part of the St. Ann's Catholic Church Parish. In 1992, the couple sold the McDonald's franchise and purchased the John Deere dealership in Abbotsford. They eventually added locations in Langley, Saanichton, and Duncan B.C. Nancy would visit the Abbotsford and Langley stores on many Saturdays. The family remains involved with PrairieCoast Equipment.
There is not a person who knew Nancy that does not have a repertoire of memories to cherish of the things that she said or did to make us feel so special and so loved. She was an incredible force of love and togetherness. Nancy’s children and grandchildren meant the world to her. She was the head of the table at many family gatherings throughout each year, and she cherished the time that her family was able to come together. She took such joy in hearing the stories of her family and sharing her own stories with them. She was always there encouraging and supporting those she loved in all that they did.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Henry, her son Howie, and her siblings Rose, Anne, Jean, Casey, and Violet. She is survived by her loving children Marty (Tami) Jelinski, Norbert (Gayle) Jelinski, Paul Jelinski, Judy (Rod) Dahl, Dave (Sherri) Jelinski, and Howie’s spouse Michelle Jelinski; grandchildren Alivia and Liana Jelinski, Zak Dahl, Joel and Lance Jelinski, Anna Jelinski, and Steven and Matthew Reisinger; and many loving nieces and nephews.
To honor the beautiful memory of her life, we should all strive to live our lives with love, kindness, humor, faith, and a welcoming and generous spirit. Her love was present in every breath she took, and she has left us all with a legacy of love that we are charged to carry on in our own lives.
A formal mass to celebrate Nancy’s life will be held at a later date.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
Josh Groban