It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jennifer Kryworuchko, far too soon at age 50, of ovarian cancer. She died peacefully on October 25, 2019 surrounded by her loving family – her husband of 26 years, Marko, and their four children, Kalyna, Maksym, Jakob and Hannah – and will be forever in their hearts. She will be lovingly remembered by her parents, Denis and Sheila Hill, sisters, Keira and Elina, brothers, Corey and Kevin, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and colleagues.
Jennifer served as a nurse in the Canadian Armed Forces and later at the Ottawa Hospital ICU, before completing a PhD in Nursing at the University of Ottawa. She went on to become a highly respected professor and researcher, first at the University of Saskatchewan and then at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing. She made exemplary contributions through her thoughtful and engaged nursing curriculum development and teaching practice, as well as through her research aimed at improving shared decision-making for patients during serious illness and at the end of life.
Eldest of 5 children and 16 grandchildren, Jen often rallied the family together, hosting spontaneous and lively gatherings, and leading adventures into the woods or by the sea. She was creative, fun, easygoing, hardworking, and always ready to help and make things happen. She was an extraordinary life partner and mom - loving and supportive, sparing no effort to help her kids grow and succeed on their own. Jen worked tirelessly to support her children’s extracurricular activities by volunteering her time with the Trexx Girl Guide Unit, Franco-Cité volleyball team, Canterbury Hockey, Saskatoon Aqualenes, Synchro BC, Pacific Wave Synchro, Saskatoon Whitewater Kayak Club, Chilliwack Centre of Excellence Paddling Club, and others. Jen was widely recognized for her remarkable organizational skills and willingness to advocate for change whenever and wherever necessary. She had an amazing ability to connect with people, making her a tremendous positive force not only within these organizations but also throughout her professional and family life.
She was such a warm, welcoming, bright and insightful person to problem solve or just spend time with over a cup of tea and chocolate. We will profoundly miss hanging out with Jen – singing, working on projects, walks in the forest with dog ‘Zulzy-Bob’, enjoying good foods… everything really! She was truly one of a kind.
A memorial service will be held at 11am, on November 30th, at First Unitarian, 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa, with a reception to follow. Jennifer’s family welcomes donations to the UBC School of Nursing “Jennifer Kryworuchko Memorial Fund”.