Melissa Ann Mamchur

“Death lies on her like an untimely frost

Upon the sweetest flower of all the field”

With broken hearts, the family of Missy Mamchur announce her passing.  Missy died suddenly on February 28, 2021 at her home in Victoria, BC.  She was born March 25, 1980 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

Missy was predeceased by her Baba and Guedo, Minnie and Steve Mamchur, her grandfather, Harry Stewart and her step-sister Michelle Mamchur.

She is survived by her anguished mother, Roses Stewart, (David Stevens), her father, Boris Mamchur, (Anne Kirkland) her brothers, Steve Mamchur (Shannon Rennie) and Mitch Mamchur (Jacelyn Little), her grandmother, Maria Stewart, and her partner, Mandy Otterstad and her family.

Missy spent her formative years in Prince Albert.  She attended Vickers Public School and Carlton High School.  During this time, she was actively involved in sports beginning with T-Ball, softball and volleyball.  She played these sports with passion and dedication and rose to play in the highest leagues in Saskatchewan.  She enjoyed playing the flute in the school band.  She was a very active and involved young lady.  She was a member of Job’s Daughters and made many friends during that time.

After grade twelve, she remained in PA to coach Vicker’s volleyball team and to support her mother and younger brother.

That summer she worked at George Fleming’s fishing camp, Hatchet Lake Lodge.  Missy made many friends there and enjoyed the beauty of Northern Saskatchewan.  One of her friends from the camp went to New Zealand.  Missy decided that she would like a gap year and travelled to join her.  While there, she was a WWOOFER (willing workers on organic farms).  She worked and travelled and had many amazing experiences.  She visited Australia during this time and saw many sights and had experiences beyond belief.  She hiked up Ayers Rock and explored other regions and returned to Canada via Fiji.  While in Fiji, she had all her belongings stolen and had to fly back home in her pyjamas and bare feet!

Missy decided to become a massage therapist (she had healing hands).  The best college was in Victoria, BC.  So, a plan was set to attend Camosun College.  She and her mother shared a cross country tour visiting family and friends along the way.  She enjoyed her studies and was able to pursue her love of volleyball.

Her first summer she returned to Saskatchewan to work at Elk Ridge Golf Club working in the gardens.  Her good friend Nola Graham was working with her.

She continued her studies at Camosun for the next few years.  During a summer break, she and her mom went to Germany to visit family.  She had a cousin living in Munich.  This cousin was a horticulturist and sang the praises of this profession.  So, on her return, Missy decided to change gears and started horticultural school.  Missy’s studies of horticultural sciences began a career of beautifying the homes of Victoria.  This was gratifying work for her—-she loved the outdoors.

Family holidays were precious for Missy.  There were many trips to Cuba and several to Germany.  She attended several educational seminars with her mom in Hawaii, Chicago and Houston.  During high school, there were several exciting world excursions.

There is an interesting story about her trip to Hawaii.  She was travelling on her own to meet her mother at the airport in Hawaii.  As she went through customs, the officer, a rather stern gentleman, was quizzing her about her intentions in Hawaii.  He first asked her what her work was and she replied that she was unemployed.  Next, he asked her where she was staying and she said….under the mango tree.  He decided at that point she was going back to Canada.  No work and no lodging.  That was it, he decided she had to leave.  Missy was in shock and said “what do you mean?  I have a place to stay!!  I am staying at a VRBO called Under the Mango Tree!!  Please, my mom is on the other side waiting for me??  And he decided she got to stay!

She was often out in the wilderness with friends, exploring beaches, the gorgeous forests of BC.  One of her favourite retreats was the Pacific Miss Spa and Hydropath.  Camping, hiking and swimming were pastimes that gave Missy so much joy.  She loved nature—she loved the earth.

Her brothers describe her as a free spirit, kind, caring and very motherly.  They were so blessed to have such an amazing sister.

In 2020, she was fortunate to meet Mandy.  Missy went to the US and spent six months with Mandy and her family.  From the pictures that we have, this looks like the most delightful time for Missy.

Mandy had some words to share…

Missy’s heart’s capacity for love was larger than life.  She brought so many “little adventures” to all of us.  She was a sensitive soul with an affinity for children, animals and nature that became the empathetic ear that our family relied upon.  She was a fiercely caring mama bear, and never a day went by that she didn’t freely share her words of love with us.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com