Nurse, gardener.
Born at Hazelglen on 18 November 1936 to Mary Helen Osiowy (1903-2002) and Stephen “Steve” Lucko (1900-1974), she attended Sunnyside School in Oakbank, where her family ran a grocery store, and then completed high school at United College (University of Winnipeg). She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing and was soon promoted to a Head Nurse position. After meeting Bohdan “Bohdy” Jaworski (1933-2022) at the hospital, the couple married on 4 July 1959 and went on to have two children.
To devote more time to raising a family, she transferred employment initially to the Children's Aid Society, then to the Province of Manitoba in the Income Security Department. She retired in 2001 after more than 25 years of service as an Assistant Director.
She enjoyed her vegetable and floral gardens. Her skill with growing flowers led her to begin collaborating with her daughter Theresa in designing floral arrangements for the weddings and anniversaries of family and friends. She became especially interested in growing orchids, and joined the Manitoba Orchid Society (MOS). Through developing her proficiency in cultivating various types of orchids, she was honoured with four American Orchid Society (AOS) awards. At the time of her death, she was serving her second term as President of MOS.
Having grown up being responsible for preparing meals for the family while her parents tended the store, she became a renowned cook and enjoyed entertaining family and friends with her elaborate dinner parties. She also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at Eleanor Lake.
She died at Winnipeg on 17 July 2012, and was buried in the Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 July 2012.
“Joyce Nellie Lucko,” Steve Schwallie’s Family tree, Ancestry.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 9 May 2026
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