Five generations of family came together to celebrate an important birthday last month.
The Kuzmick family emigrated to Canada in the 1930s, when Lillian Kuzmick and her parents immigrated from Ukraine.
Charlotte Jafvert nee Kuzmick (Lillian’s youngest of five children) said her mother was widowed in 1953. Kuzmick sold the farm and the family moved to a house on Foothill Road, where the children grew up on five acres.
Jafvert’s daughter and granddaughter, Amy VonHoltum and Shayna Arcinas-Durec, amid other family members, gathered back in Salmon Arm in September to celebrate Lillian’s 96th birthday, and Shayna brought with her a special guest: her own daughter, four-month-old Zadie, Kuzmick’s great great granddaughter.
The birthday party was Kuzmick’s first time meeting the baby, and Jafvert said it was special to have five generations all able get together.
“I’m so happy my mom got to meet her great great grandchild,” said Jafvert.
Kuzmick’s family, while they live in and travel to many different areas in the world, enjoy getting to gather back together in Salmon Arm.
Arcinas-Durec’s family currently lives in 鶹AV, close enough for visits to Zadie’s great great grandma.
Jafvert said although Lillian now lives in Mount Ida Mews under extended care, her room has a view of Mount Ida from the window.
“That’s really nice because she’s always lived in the vicinity, in view of the mountains,” said Jafvert. “And her family is right in the area.”
Jafvert also mentioned she likes bringing her mother sunflowers because of her Ukrainian history.
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