Lillian (Picyk) Kuzmick

Lillian Kuzmick, née Picyk, passed away peacefully on 26 November 2024 at the age of 97. Born in Smidyn, Ukraine, in 1927, Lillian emigrated to Canada in 1930 with her twin sister Vera, three older brothers, and their parents, Grigorij and Tatjana Picyk. The family settled in the Swan River Valley, Manitoba, where they built a life rooted in faith, farming, and community.

Faith was a cornerstone of Lillian’s life. Raised in the Pentecostal Church, her deep connection to her religion began early and remained a source of strength throughout her life. It was through a church group visiting from Alberta that she met Fred Kuzmick. They married in 1944 and started their life together in Highvale, Alberta, later moving to Silver Creek, British Columbia. There, Lillian and Fred raised their five children: Shirley (Judy), Dave, Nat, Sam, and Charlotte.

In 1953, tragedy struck when Fred passed away after a workplace accident, leaving Lillian to raise their young family alone. Despite the hardships and her struggles with rheumatoid arthritis, which began in her twenties, Lillian’s resilience and unwavering faith sustained her. 

Lillian was a dedicated homemaker, pouring her energy into raising her children.  She ran a daycare from her home, and embraced the joys of cooking, embroidery, and gardening. She was known for her sharp wit, delight in entertainment news, and her fond exasperation with the antics of the various cats that passed through her home. 

Lillian was predeceased by her husband Fred, daughter Judy Hoffard, son-in-law Bud Hoffard, and grandson Bryson.

She leaves behind a large and loving family, including her children Dave, Nat (Gudrun), Sam (Marcia), and Charlotte (Gloria); grandchildren Angie Pruden (Steve), Natalie Hoffard, Marlon Kuzmick (Amber), Alexis Cleaves (David), Lidia Kuzmick, Alastair, Ivor, and Chiara Kuzmick, Genevieve Kuzmick, Melissa Dawson (Matt), Leigh Shoemaker, Amy Von Holtum, and Charles (Nathan) Jafvert; as well as great-grandchildren Riley Pruden, Cade and Kyra Hoffard, Conrad and Elizabeth (Zibby) Kuzmick, Piper, Riley, Julian and Elliott Cleaves, Judith Anne and Donald Kuzmick, Dominic, Roman, and Brianna Dawson, and Shayna (Jeremy) Durec; and great-great-granddaughter Zadie Dove Durec.

Lillian’s inner strength, faith, and kindness touched all who knew her. Her legacy of resilience and perseverance will live on in her family and in the memories of those whose lives she enriched.

A funeral service will be held at Bowers Funeral Chapel on December 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a time of refreshments to follow.