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Note: Tellie (Marie Tcizshka), daughter of Yurko and Tedia Syrnyk, was born on August 27, 1902. Her parents came from Galicia, one from Perimeliew, and one from Harymeliew, (spelling unknown). Her mother's maiden name was Brushchuk. Tellie was born shortly after her parents arrieved in Winnipegosis. She remembers living in a plastered thatched house, with family at one end and a cow at the other. Her memories from her childhood include waking up with rain falling on her face, only to find that a barrel of homemade beer had blown its cork; she remembers many visitors staying with them overnight and again as they returned to their homes, often with a bag of flour on their backs; she remembers an ox that her brother used to plow a few acres; the ox being true to its nature would wander off to get a drink of water regardless of what it had behind it. She remembers attending the little Catholic Church situated on the corner of the farm; the three acres where it stands were donated by her father. Mrs. Pearl Lytwyn was a teacher at Cork Clff School and Tellie was one of her pupils. She learned to read and write in Ukrainian, making sure her children were well versed in that language as well. To coin one of her phrases "You never know when you will need it". After her marriage to Ed they lived for a short time across the river while Ed worked in town. Her mother lived with them. In 1937 they moved out to a farm theree miles out of town where they ran a mixed farm. Tellie worked hard, enjoying the outdoor work more than the household. Tellie was always known for her hospitality and kindheartedness; several nieces and nephews made her house their home. Her door was always open to any visitor of traveller, whether they wore leather shoes or moccasins; many strangers who came from the east side of the lake stopped to rest their horses and have a cup of tea before continuing on to town or points north. Effie Sosnowski was a frequent visitor. Effie repaid her "stay" by knitting a pair of mitts or helping with the cooking while she was there. Tellie's homespun mitts and socks were made from the wool of the sheep raised on the farm, the wool was carded, spun and knit into mitts and socks. In 1964 (1962) Tellie married Steve Mandzuk, a widower from Rorketon and they lived happily until his unfortunate death from cancer in 1967. Tellie is the only surviving member of the Syrnyk family. She is still active at age 86, having a garden, raising chickens, making perogies, cabbage rolls, and homemade macaroni, kept frozen in case someone comes to visit. She has friends of all ages. She is able to counsel, advise, communicate and converse with the young as well as people her own age. She drives her little car, often taking her friends to church or for a little ride out in the country, perhaps to pick saskatoons or cranberries. Finding the winters cold and long now, she spends them with her daughters, but is ever anxious to get back home to her many many friends, garden and chickens. Source: Reflections from Little Muddy Water: A History of Winnipegosis, (Winnipegosis History Book Committee, 1990). p. 417-419.
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