Belle was born in Sifton, Manitoba on Feb. 6, 1919 to her parents, Nick and Katherine Maranchuk. She was the second child out of twelve born to the family. As an infant, she moved from Sifton to Grandview, MN. Her father was a railroad section forman and, at the age of five, her family moved to Hazel Dell, SK. She attended Shaftsbury School in Hazel Dell where she excelled in arithmetic and spelling and playing shortstop in softball. Belle got her grade 9 standing which was quite an accomplishment in those days.
In 1935 Belle married Pete Zenuk. They then moved to a farm site Southwest of Porcupine Plain and soon started their family (Annie 1938, Leona 1942, Paul 1944 and Carol 1947). Life was difficult then with none of the conveniences we take for granted today. No power, no natural gas, no refrigeration, no phones. Times can be difficult without texting. Also company always came unannounced so a quick trip to the chicken coop with a hatchet solved the menu problem. Farm work and transportation relied on horses. Pete did buy a new car in 1948, but it had to sit for two years because they couldn’t afford the license plate or the gasoline.
They moved into Porcupine Plain in 1972 and had a joyous experience painting their new home with their good friends, the Chaykowski’s and the Kwasney’s. Electricity was so new and fearsome to them, that they had to unplug all lamps and appliances before going to bed. To their large corner lot, she added a huge garden and raspberry patch. She also did some babysitting for Mike and Heather Moroz and later for Ed and Lydia Poniatowski. While Pete was alive, they travelled twice to BC to visit son, Paul. They also took in the Calgary Stampede. Pete died suddenly in 1979.
Belle belonged to the Porcupine Healthcare Auxiliary for 30 years. Lydia said that they enjoyed many gatherings at her home making crafts for the Christmas tables. Her health began to fail at the age of 91, however, up to this point she was able to tie her shoes from a standing position, standing on one foot. One place Belle didn't want to go to was a nursing home. She thought her children would look after her. But when her health began to fail and was unable to stay by herself, she was admitted to the Red Deer Nursing Home in May 2011. Belle was not happy in the nursing home and whenever Leona would visit, she would ask her to take her home. Belle was never a loud person, but began to sing a lot and very loudly. As a result, some of the staff called her Dolly Parton. She was moved to the hospital on Dec 21/12 and passed away on Jan 13/13 with Paul, Leona, Bill and friend Sally by her bedside.
Belle was predeceased by her husband, Pete; parents, Nick and Katherine Maranchuk; daughter, Annie and son-in-law, Alex Bloski; sister Annie and brother-in-law Bill Chopty; sister Polly and brother-in-law Paul Romick; sister Olga Assaily; brother Bill and sister-in-law Betty Maranchuk; grandchildren Michelle Yachnik, Cheryl Zenuk and Rene Tessier. Also Belle had three siblings that died in infancy.
She is survived by: daughter Leona (Bill) Yachnik of Porcupine Plain; son Paul Zenuk of Kitimat BC; daughter Carol (Alwyn) Charles of Fort Saskatchewan AB: brother Walter (Lena) Maranchuk of Kelowna BC; brother Ed (Ellen) Maranchuk of Saskatoon SK; sister Minnie (Alfred) Anderson of Nanaimo BC; sister Carol Maranchuk of Edmonton AB: grandchildren; Tracy Jacznik, Christine (Sean) Kearney, Colin Zenuk and Corrine Zenuk, Jennie (Kiley) Whelen, Monique (Chris) Reid, Audrey Tessier, Allan Bloski (Laurie King), Anita (Don) Watt, Alison Bloski (Kyle Morden), Dave Small and Rob Mattson: great grandchildren; Phoenix and Sophia Jacznik, Michael, Duane and Sherilyn Zenuk, Broden, Brandon and Rachelle Whelen, Jonas and Tristan Reid, Kristin (Garett) Langdon, Brendan, Ashley, Reagan and Robin Bloski, Aaron and Lindsay Watt: great great grandchildren; Alex and Aurora Langdon. Also numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A special thank you to Dr. Pieterese and the nursing staff for the compassionate care given to Belle. Also to the Red Deer Nursing Home staff for the patience and care given to Belle.