Tribute

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a caring, fashionable, funny, and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Nina passed away at home in Cranbrook, with family by her side, after a brief battle with cancer.

Nina was born in Markowicze, Poland, and moved with her family to Ottawa at a young age. Later, the family relocated to Fernie, where she met George and raised two daughters, Colleen and Georgina.

At family gatherings, the first question many would ask was, “Is GG making her cabbage rolls?” She taught a few of her grandchildren how to make them, and they are still perfecting the recipe. Mom loved to cook, can, and preserve the lovely harvest from her garden. Fishing, blueberry picking, and camping were her favorite summer activities.

Mom also loved to dance and tried to teach her daughters how to polka. She could often be seen dancing with any of her grandchildren on a whim. She enjoyed walking, having coffee with friends, playing cribbage at the senior’s center, and challenging her grandkids, whom she taught cribbage, to beat her. She cherished traveling across Canada to visit family and friends.

Nina is survived by her daughter Colleen (Alain) Meunier,  and Jack Benton; grandchildren Clayton (Eden) Zmurchyk,  Jeremy (Ashley) Zmurchyk, Nicole (Chris) Zmurchyk, Brady (Ali) Benton, and Madison (Ryan) Benton; and great-grandchildren Dominick, Morgan, Kai, Averille, Zander, Zayden, Ainsley, and Rhett. She is also survived by her sisters Violet (Dave) Miller and Helen (Steve) Sein, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Nina was predeceased by her husband George, her daughter Georgina Benton, her parents Marie and Paul Bezak, and her brothers Eugene and Steve Bezak.

Mom will be missed by all who knew her. She was a guiding light to many.

We miss you dearly.

Immediate family will hold a graveside service at later date.