Obituary of Lily Chernik

To view Lilys' service please go to

https://www.youtube.com/@northernlightsfuneralchape9303

August 6, 1933 ~ June 14, 2023

On June 14, 2023, Lily (Luba) Chernik (Pilipchuk) of Ardmore, Alberta passed away peacefully at the age of 89 years.

Lily was predeceased by her parents – Stephan and Anna Pilipchuk, sister Mary Kardash, brother Walter Pilipchuk, step dad John Demediuk, son-in-law Tom Alyman and her husband Paul Chernik.  

Lily is survived by her brother John (Lilian) Pilipchuk and her 6 children: Peter (LeeAnne) Chernik, Rose (Frank) Cabaj, Pauline (Peter) Hurrey, Emilie Alyman, John (Colette) Chernik, and David (Laurel) Chernik. 13 grandchildren were so fortunate to cherish grandma including Paul (Jessica), Chelsey (Rob), Sarah, Christa (Jon), Julie (Tim), Chantel (Andrew), Alicia (Sean), Bretton, Tanner (Riley), Kevin (Taylor), Bradley, Nathan and Jamie. 11 great grandchildren brought an immediate smile of delight to her face – Evan, Sophia, Nicholas, Jasper, Annie, Elena, Bronek, Harper, Noah, Isla and Cohen.

Lily emigrated to Canada as a child (age 5) with her family in April 1939 from Poland to escape World War 2 which began in Sept 1939. The family ended up on a quarter section of land near Dupre (North of Bonnyville). Life was hard in those days. Lily started school having no knowledge of English. When Lily was 16, her father Stephen was killed in a farm accident. Lily had to quit school and try to keep the farm going. Somehow the family survived.

On July 18, 1954, Lily married the love of her life - Paul Chernik. Together, the couple created a humble, but gracious rural life where family and friends were always welcome and Lily was often putting on the coffee for enjoyable visits. Lily was a remarkable cook and could create a feast for 20-30 people on a moment’s notice. Lily’s joy was her family, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her neighbors and her friends. She travelled the world to see her family.  Lily loved to play cards and floor curling. Late in life, Lily also discovered the joy of fishing.

Urn bearers: John Pilipchuk, Peter Chernik, John Chernik, David Chernik, Rose Cabaj, and Emilie Alyman.

Honorary Urn bearers: Pauline Hurrey and Lily’s grand children.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Lily be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Bonnylodge and the Bonnyville Hospital for the care that they gave Lily.

The funeral service will be recorded and available for viewing at on YouTube. The link will be posted when available.

Respectfully Submitted by the Chernik family