It is with deep sadness we announce that Natalka “Nat” Tkachuk(nee) Gingras departed from this world on Monday, October 26, 2020 at the age of 84 years. She passed away due to complications from lung cancer at the Grey Nuns Community hospital, with the love of her daughters surrounding her. Born on September 17, 1936, she lived in Lac La Biche County most of her life. In 1954, at the tender age of 18, she began her career as a teacher. On July 4, 1957, she married Ernest Gingras. Together they settled on a farm in the Christy Creek area of Lac La Biche, Alberta. While raising her 5 children and working fulltime, Nat also volunteered her time as a 4-H leader and helped with many community events. Throughout her many years of teaching she created beautiful costumes for school Christmas concerts and built caring environments for her students. After 30 years of teaching she began a new journey and in 1986 she and a friend, opened the Cascade Flower Shop. When she finally retired, she crafted many quilts that won her first prizes at local fairs and enjoyed spending her spare time painting beautiful landscapes. Much of her works hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren. Garnering compliments from guests and providing precious mementos for them to remember her by.
Natalka was a hardworking and devoted mother who is greatly missed by her children: Karen Gingras, Gordon Gingras, Doris Fairweather, Beverly Gingras, and Dennis Gingras. She was most proud of her 7 grandchildren: Spencer Gingras, Tyler (Felicity) Gingras, Terri Gingras (Nick Eaton), Tiffany Gingras, Connor Fairweather, and Aishlyn Fairweather. Time with Grandma was spent doing arts and crafts, reading and of course sampling Grandma’s special recipes. Natalka was incredibly happy to have been able to meet her great-grandchild, Caelan Gingras, whom she loved to see smile and hear his laughter. Natalka also leaves behind her youngest brother Roy, whom she cherished.
Natalka is preceded in death by her husband Ernest Gingras, Jan. 29, 2012; her infant daughter, Darlene; her mom, Domka (Dora), her dad, Ilia (Eli) Tkachuk; and her brothers Tom, Mike and Stanley Tkachuk.
To her many extended family members and community friends in light of the current Covid-19 crisis a celebration of life will be held when it is safe to do; the date is TBA.
