12-Jul-1944 - 24-May-2024
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Irma “Imi" Melnyk, beloved wife of Dr. Ilarion “Lary" Melnyk, devoted mother of Larissa, Frederic, Deanna and Tamara, steadfast mother-in-law of Kelly, Matt and Carrie and adoring grandmother of Mark, Jessica, Eric, Braydon and Lily. After a sudden, devastatingly rapid fight against cancer she left us on May 24, 2024 in her home surrounded by her loving daughters and family.
Born on July 12th 1944 and Poznan, Poland, Imi arrived in Canada with her mother, Maria, in 1948. She grew up in downtown Toronto in the High Park area when it was a bastion of Polish immigrants and culture and where she and her mother were joined by her brother, George, and father, Chester. Imi attended the Parkdale Collegiate School and it was there in her grade 9 year in 1958 that she met the love of her life, Lary. Nursing and medical school followed for Imi and Lary (Toronto General and University of Toronto, respectively) - and their courtship continued, highlighted by gigs of Lary's band “Lary and the Lymphatics” in various bars across Toronto and numerous medical nursing school dances with Imi very much in support as a groupie and Go-Go dancer. In 1967, they married, it was a mixed marriage - Ukrainian Polish – but they did not allow cultural differences to interfere with their clear and undoubted love. Soon enough, children followed: Larissa born in St. Catherine first Fred in Vancouver in short order and then Dee and Tammy in Toronto.
In 1972, the family moved to Midland ON where Lary established a thriving ophthalmology practice with Imi acting as ophthalmic assistant or office manager (and sometimes both) - all the while raising the Melnyk brood of four. The family made Georgian Bay their home in a fun-filled house on the water across the shimmering lights of Midland. Quickly establishing themselves in Midland at a time when newcomers were considered new into the second and third generations, Imi and Lary were the consummate hosts with a string of annual events including the raucous Smelt Fry, the overflowing Holiday caroling party and Imi and Lary's always touching anniversary party. The Melnyk circle of friends never stopped growing, and Imi’s circle of friends was particularly close - her groups of ladies who lunched, the golfing gals, the Legion band groupies and her Askenonia pals.
Imi had a wide range of interest from belly dancing to shopping to Polish ceramics. But she really loved traveling, which suited her adventurous spirit. Whether it was to visit friends in Florida and Texas and far-flung places across the US and Canada, or to accompany Lary on trips to medical conferences in New Orleans and Chicago, (among many other cities) where Imi and Lary and their fellow medical couples painted the towns red after conference hours. Imi especially loved her visits to her daughters who lived outside of Canada - to Tammy in California, where Imi and Lary made themselves part of the décor in the “colorful” bars of West Hollywood, or to Dee in Australia and then Singapore and finally Hermosa Beach.
But more than anything Imi loved being “Babi” or “Baba” to her grandchildren. At Christmas, she filled the entire back room with presents for them, either elaborately wrapped or in gift bags. Throughout the year she spoiled them with Dilly bars and lunches at Dino's or the World Famous Dock lunch (a particular favorite of Imi’s). In the summer she always stood ready to help unhook a fish or take a picture of the little ones swimming with Dido (Lary). To see her joy when she was with her grandchildren in particular was something wondrous to behold.
Imi's was a life filled to overflowing with love, devotion and dedication to her family and friends. We were all, all of us, blessed by having had her in our lives and we will miss her now and forever.
A private family service will be arranged as per Imi’s wishes. A joyous Celebration of Imi's Life will be held on July 12th, 2024, Imi's 80th birthday, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 80 in Midland between 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
If so desired, memorial donations can be made to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society or to the Town of Midland for a bench dedication in loving memory of Imi in a Midland park overlooking Georgian Bay.
Arrangements entrusted to Nicholls Funeral Home
