Elaine Malinsky

1929 - 2020

Ella Elaine Malinsky (nee Sparks), beloved wife of the late George Malinsky, passed away in Taber on Monday, July 20, 2020 at the age of 90 years.

As a result of the restrictions regarding COVID-19, and the government’s recommendations, a private visitation was held at Southland Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 27, 2020.

Elaine is survived by her daughters Georgia (Greg) Stauth and Donna (Bryon) Broderson; grandchildren Patrick and Craig (Roberta) Bell, Kevin (Natalie) Broderson and Lyle (Jenny) Broderson; great grandchildren Brittany and Braden, Chantele and Chase Broderson, Wylie and Weston Bell; brothers John Sparks, Robert (Margaret) Sparks, sister-in-law Pat Sparks and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband George Malinsky, her parents Wilfred and Ella Sparks, her sister Joanne Lysohirka, her granddaughter Robin Broderson, her nephew Mark Lysohirka, her brother Edward “Eddy” Sparks, her sister-in-law Patsy Sparks. She was also predeceased by George’s family, his parents Annie and Daniel Malinsky and his siblings Johnny (May) Malinsky, Alex Malinsky, Bill (Gladys) Malinsky, Nick (Mary) Malinsky, Dolly (Bud) Douglas, Mary (Raymond) Crowe, Helen Malinsky and Edward Malinsky.

Here is Elaine’s story: I was born in Taber on September 16, 1929, the eldest of five children to Ella (nee Barton) and Wilfred Sparks. At a very young age I began singing and performing in music festivals, concerts, band concerts. In my teenage years, I sang in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints choir under the direction of John Johansen and I acquired a love for choral music and harmony. When I was fifteen years old my mother passed away leaving dad with a family of five young children to raise. Because I was the oldest girl in the family I became the “mother” as I cooked, cleaned, did the laundry and mending while also attending high school.

At the end of World War two, George Malinsky came home from overseas and we became “re-acquainted.” We had lived in the same neighborhood all our lives, but I was only thirteen years old when George went overseas. We were married February 12, 1947 and eventually had two lovely daughters, Georgia and Donna. George went to work for the St. Mary River Irrigation District. in 1953 and in 1954 we transferred to the Bow Island area where we spent ten years.

It was at Bow Island that Georgia, Donna and I started singing harmony together and we were involved in several musical productions through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was also while we were in Bow Island that I became a Lieutenant in the Girl Guide Company where Donna was a girl guide. I was also appointed to a three year term on the Alberta council of the Girl Guide Association during this time. I was involved in the Home and School Association and attended a provincial convention at the Banff School of Fine Arts. We enjoyed the ten years in Bow Island very much.

In 1963, we transferred to Grassy Lake and found the people there to be very friendly. It was at Grassy Lake that I began to sew and made most of the clothes the girls and I wore.

In October 1966, I began working at the Bank of Montreal as a ledger keeper. We were planning to move to Taber on January 1, 1967, but I had a chance to go to work in October, so I lived with my dad in Taber for three months until George finished his job at the end of December. We purchased a home in Taber and lived there ever since. I remained with the Bank of Montreal for twenty nine years and worked in all positions from ledger keeper to branch manager. I retired from the bank on January 1, 1994.

George passed away August 6, 1978 and I tried to keep myself busy since that time. Since my retirement I have served a three year term on the Taber Public Library board and was also elected to two, two year terms on the executive of the Royal Canadian Legion.

I love to curl and I was a member of the Taber Ladies Curling Club for forty five years. I was presented with a life membership in the Ladies Curling Club several years ago. I also curled in the Senior Curling Club. I also enjoy bowling and when I was younger played slow pitch on the senior ladies team, winning gold and bronze medals in summer games for two consecutive years.

I also love to golf and have been a member of the Vauxhall Golf Club for many years. I was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for fifteen years and was presented with the Order of the Rose.

I love music of all kinds and particularly love singing with my daughters. I enjoy singing karaoke and do so at every opportunity. I have always loved music and the radio is always on, or records and tapes are being played in my home.

All in all I have had a good life! I love my daughters and sons-in-law (who are more like sons to me.) I love every one of my grandchildren and great grandchildren. They are all so special and have brought a lot of joy into my life.

My brothers have been very good to me all my life and I do love and appreciate them. I have met many wonderful people in my lifetime and consider myself very fortunate to have had so many friends.

“Elaine was a thoughtful, caring, loving, courageous and feisty person. She was a dedicated employee, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a loyal friend.”

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Elaine’s name may be made directly to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 20, 5205 - 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1S8 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7 www.heartandstroke.ca.