Elizabeth Fernuik's Obituary
GRAVESIDE SERVICES- 2:00 PM Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa with Ron Fernuik, officiating.
INTERMENT- Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Elizabeth Nikolaivna Kuchkovskaya Fernuik, 86, passed away Easter morning, April 5,2015 in Pampa, Texas. Born in Manchuria, China on April 16, 1928 to Paul Nicolas and Paraskeva Kuchkovsky, Elizabeth immigrated to San Francisco, California in 1952. She married Romee Harry Fernuik on July 3, 1954 in Reno, California. They had one son, Ronald Nicolas Fernuik and made their home in the San Francisco area. After Romee passed away in May 1988, Elizabeth moved to Pampa, Texas to be near her family. She resided in the Pam Apartments for 14 years before moving in with her son and his family, where she was loved by a devoted team of care givers from Accolade Hospice and family for the past 18 months.
Elizabeth leaves behind a rich legacy. Her family always came first. She took a job to supplement family income so that her son, Ron, could learn to fly and obtain a college education. She faithfully attended dozens of school musicals and concerts, sporting events and special church functions in ever-constant support of her six grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren’s earliest memories are of the books and etiquette videos she sent, and the annual Festival of the Trees in conjunction with the Pampa Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker performance. Elizabeth never stopped learning and set a an example of openness to new experiences, whether skydiving at age 82, trying new cuisines, reading stacks of magazines, listening to radio shows or actively asking questions. Elizabeth exuded a deep sense of gratitude for the smallest blessings. Her eyes would sometimes mist over in the produce section, overcome with gratitude for this land of plenty and choice, always a touching reminder. She prayed sincerely from the heart, humbly approaching God in great thanksgiving and in petition for others. Known to all for her vivacity and quick wit, Elizabeth perpetually had a beautiful way of finding the positive in any situation with a contagious cheer. An avid and meticulous gardener, Elizabeth loved the outdoors and often would take her family on long nature walks, patiently examining all of God’s creations. Never in a frantic rush, Elizabeth knew how to savor each moment in life, usually over a cup of tea.
Elizabeth will be missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Taci Fernuik of Pampa, TX; by her six grandchildren and their families: Heather and Daniel Petrenko of Alexandria, VA; Andy Fernuik of Salt Lake City, UT; Aaron Fernuik of Pampa, TX; Nicole and Ammon McNeff and their two children, Naomi and Edmund, of Provo, UT; Michael and Logan Fernuik of Lubbock, TX; Robin Fernuik of Dallas, TX; and by a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift of His Son and for the surety of resurrection in Christ (2 Cor. 9:15; 1 Cor. 15:22)!
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