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Bill Langlois and Mike Melnyk

We have decided to fund this Internship to support and encourage the preservation of art created by local BC artists for the future enjoyment of British Columbia. We understand the need to support the work of institutions who struggle to meet ever increasing operational needs. As well we believe there is a need to provide hands on experience in curatorial work.

Margaret Melnyk (nee Russell) was born January 13, 1918 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Unfortunately Margaret lost both of her parents when she was very young and went to live with an aunt in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, a small town just outside of Glasgow. Margaret was something of a tomboy being able to whistle and climb trees before many of her male counterparts.

When the Second World War broke out Margaret joined the British Royal Air-force where she served as a cook and acquired the rank of leading aircraft woman. She met and married her future husband, Morris Melnyk, who was serving with the Canadian army, during the war. They married on Christmas Day in 1943 but because of a bureaucratic mix-up over a weekend pass, Margaret spent her wedding night at the YWCA while Morris spent the night in the brig. Eventually all was resolved and they honeymooned at Brighton, England before returning to their units and the war.

At the conclusion of the war Morris returned to Saskatchewan and Margaret joined him soon thereafter. Margaret sailed to Canada on the cruiseship the Ile de France and disembarked at Pier 21 in Halifax, N.S. She then boarded the train for the long journey to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where at their new home on a homestead outside of Rostern, no power, no running water, no indoor plumbing, etc!!! Also few of Morris’s family spoke English as they were Ukrainians so communicating was a challenge for Margaret. The early years were a struggle for Margaret and many times she contemplated returning to the bright lights and big city of home but preserved.

Two of Morris and Margaret’s three sons were born during their time in Saskatchewan – Robert in 1947 and Michael in 1952. In 1953 the young family moved to Edmonton, Alberta and a few years later on to Fort Assiniboine were Morris worked in the oilfields and Margaret was a stay at home mom. In 1960 their third son Keith was born. Margaret was very busy with her sons and various community groups – the United Church, the Fort Assiniboine Legion Ladies Auxiliary, etc. She also followed her passion of singing which lead her to many choirs and talent pageants where she was very successful.

Once her sons were of a responsible age Margaret returned to work, finding employment as a cook at the local Esso restaurant where she worked until her mid seventies. Morris and Margaret always took the time to travel, visiting Hawaii, Europe, and the United States. She especially enjoyed the times when she was able to return to Scotland as it gave her an opportunity to re-establish her Scottish roots.

When Morris died in 2001 Margaret moved to Discovery Place in Devon, Alberta. In late 2007 Margaret’s health deteriorated and she was moved to the Good Samaritan Cottages in Stony Plan, Alberta where she died in 2008.
Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved the sound of the Scottish bagpipes, her shot of rye whiskey and to sing the traditional Scottish folk songs.

While Margaret was never able to further her high school education due to the outbreak of World War II, immigration to Canada etc., she encouraged her sons to obtain college and university educations. She would be privileged and honoured to know that a memorial gift in her name will be awarded annually to a student.