ROSE LILLIAN PRIMACHUK (née Palmarchuk), beloved wife of the late William Primachuk, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the age of 89 years. She lived an amazing life.

She is survived by Dennis (Bette) Palmarchuk (Tammy & Scott); Donna (Barry) Obermeyer; Lori (Len) Marinos (Alyssa & Mark); Willie (Terry-deceased) Palmarchuk; Pamela (Ross) Caffyn (Evan & Amanda); Dean (Paula) Palmarchuk (Mackenzie, Kahlan, & Reed), and other extended family.

Rose was born in Hardieville, AB on February 6, 1930 to Alexander & Helen Palmarchuk. Her father immigrated from the Ukraine in 1913 to labour in the coal mines. The youngest of four, her immediate family included her brother, Alex Palmarchuk (deceased), and her sisters, Helen Makarenko and Mary Palmarchuk (also both deceased). Rose lived her entire life in Lethbridge. She graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 1948. Three years later, she married Bill and together they shared 33 years of marriage before his untimely death in 1984.

Her working career started with the City of Lethbridge Assessment Department—a 21 year tenure that lasted up to 1969. Nine short months after retirement, she accepted a position at the University of Lethbridge as the Executive Secretary to Vice President of Campus Development—for an additional 20 years!

She began her world of travel soon after she married her railroad man. They embarked on trips that took them to Niagara, Montreal, New York, California, Texas, Florida, Alaska, Caribbean and the USSR. Later in life, she continued her adventures and visited Australia, New Zealand, China, Hawaii, Thailand, Scotland, and England and many more.

Rose will always be remembered for her absolute love of music—both playing it and promoting it. This love stemmed directly from her Ukrainian heritage.  She spoke Ukrainian at home and learned to read and write it fluently.  She was introduced to music at a very early age, singing and dancing on the stage of the Ukrainian Hall, all dressed up in colourful Ukrainian costumes. Rose’s first instrument was the mandolin, followed by the piano, but it is the violin that she will be most remembered for. She joined the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra during its inception in 1961 at the encouragement of her brother Alex—her music mentor—and she went on to play with them for an incredible 55 years. Rose was extremely giving of her time and talent, volunteering in countless organizations which gave her much satisfaction and allowed her to truly make a difference in so many lives.  Her favorite motto of the Symphony Women’s League: “The richest child is poor without music”.

The important things in life are often overlooked. In looking in retrospect at our family and upbringing, it clearly shows how proud our parents and grandparents were of the family. I’m sure we can hardly image how much prouder they are now seeing the successes of their offspring and the upcoming successes of their  great-great grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In looking at that pride, WE can reflect on the important teachings that were instilled in all of us. We were taught to be helpful and caring. Taught to share and be respectful. Taught to get along and remember we are from a proud upbringing.

We will miss you dearly Aunty Rosie.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. with Reverend Erin Phillips officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kiwanis Music and Speech Arts Festival, c/o Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Art Festival Society, #4B, 740 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0N9 or online at http://lethmsf.org

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2019-08-26
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta