Lucille Beatrice GRABINSKY (nee Malkoske)
LUCILLE GRABINSKY (NEE MALKOSKE)
You’ve never seen a pair of softer blue eyes.
She loved gardening, her 4:30 Rye and Ginger Cocktail with Jim, and that everyone knew she made the best perogies around!
We called her Mom, Lucille or Lou.. but never Lucy.
Born in Regina February 16, 1947, Lucille grew up in Beausejour, Manitoba. Daughter to Ottilie (nee Noel) and Frederick Malkoske and sister to Lorne, Cynthia and Patricia.
She spent her teen years working as an usher and slinging popcorn at the family’s movie theatre in Beausejour, the Lyric Movie Theatre.
In the summer of 65 at a ball tournament in Seven Sisters, Lucille’s 18 year old baby blues locked on a handsome young fella with a white Triumph TR3. He was from the Canadian Forces Base in Beausejour and his name was Jim Grabinsky. He drove her home from that tournament in the TR3 and thus began their 60 years of life and love together.
December 3rd of 1966 Lucille and Jim eloped, their close friends Louise and Bryan Keefe and Wayne and Eileen Morice by their side.
1967 took the newlyweds from Beasejour to Pinawa, Manitoba where Jim began work at the Atomic Energy of Canada Whiteshell Nuclear Establishment, and they started their family.
Their first child, Charles Wayne, was born in May of 1969 and their second, Shannon Dawn, was born in May of 1973.
Their time in Manitoba holds so many cherished memories with friends, neighbours and family. From stops at Larry’s Chips Stand (don’t forget the malt vinegar), to river swimming and treasured time spent with loving cousins Lloyd and Manda Malkoske at the farm in Whitemouth.
In 1977 the family moved to Alberta so that Jim could begin a new career with Dow Chemical in Fort Saskatchewan. This move brought them closer to Jim’s family where they spent their summers with their toes in the sand at the family cabin at Mameo Beach on Pigeon Lake.
In Fort Saskatchewan Lucille and Jim enjoyed throwing strikes with the bowling league and sweeping rocks with the curling club. While the kids were in school Lucille went back to work managing Fort Leisure Lanes and Work World in the Fort Mall.
Lucille and Jim also enjoyed an adventurous travel life participating in trips with the Dow Social Club and travelling to places like Morocco, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Santorini. Their favorite and most ambitious trip though was to Machu Picchu, Peru.
After Jim retired from Dow Chemical the couple designed and built a beautiful home in Norris Beach on Pigeon Lake where Lucille continued to get her hands dirty tending her lush flower and vegetable gardens. Lucille could always be counted on for great gardening advice.
At Norris Beach they hosted many Christmases, birthdays and sleepovers with their 2 Grandsons, Chile (born 2008) and Tripp Lipscombe (born 2010).
2022 brought Jim and Lucille back into Edmonton and Sherwood Park to be closer to their kids and grandsons where they proudly sat on the sidelines cheering at many soccer, volleyball, basketball, and football games.
Lucille loved going on Home and Garden tours with her friend Sheila, enjoying brunches with Curtis and Isabelle, and of course cheering on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
After a brief illness in the fall of 2025, Lucille passed away peacefully surrounded by, and being held by all the love she spent her life cultivating and growing. She did things in her own way, in her own time and remained fiercely loyal and independent till the very end.
In lieu of flowers, please plant something beautiful in the springtime in her name.
Lucille leaves to cherish her memory: Husband Jim, Son Charles (Rachel) Daughter Shannon (Lee), Grandsons Chile & Tripp, and many family members and friends from throughout the years.
So sorry for your loss of your mom sending our condolences and prayers and love for your family
Oh Shannon, Lorne & I are so shocked to hear of your mother’s passing. We pray God’s peace will surround you, Jim & the rest of the family at this difficult time. 🙏🙏
Jim and family, we were shocked and saddened to hear of Lucille’s passing. She was the best gardener, made the best pyrogies, and played a mean game of Scrabble. She was definitely one of a kind and loved her family fiercely. May God grant you strength and peace as you mourn.
Dennis and Marni
My deepest sympathy to you Jim, and your family.
Sincerely, Pat Prior
My sincerest condolences, Shannon, to you and your family. I have many great memories of your mom,at D&K’s,and cherished memories at Mameo.💔😪 prayers for all,
Much Love,
Heather 💜
So sorry to hear that Lucille has passed. She will forever be my Work World Mom. ❤️ She always had my back, had no problem giving me boy advice and life advice, whether I wanted to hear it or not. Lucille was a truly amazing person and will be missed. Condolences to you all….
Our condolences to your family. Will keep you all in our prayers
Our condolences to Jim and the family.
Terry and I express our deepest condolences to Jim and his beloved family. We had the pleasure of meeting Lucille and Jim when we lived at Pigeon Lake. Our almost weekly card games were always a highlight. Lucille was a great host and made us feel welcomed. So many laughs were shared around their kitchen table and in the screened porch area. If we could just step back in time even for a moment and relive those precious times. Lucille loved her dear kids and grandkids more than life itself and spoke of them often. With regret we lost contact with both Lucille and Jim the past few years. Thankfully we still carry great memories of Lucille’s great sense of humor. She was one in a million for sure. Rest in peace, doll.
Jim, Shannon, Charles and family. I am so sorry to hear of Lucille’s passing.
Our deepest sympathy to you Jim and your familly
Sincerely
Bert & Jannette Thorne
My deepest sympathy and condolences to you Jim and your family.
Sincerely
Murray Melnyk
Dear Jim, Chuck and Shannon. Mac and I are so sad to hear of Lucille,s passing. So sad we lost contact over the years. We had lots of fun when you lived bedside us in Pinawa. Mac and I are planning a trip out west this fall , would be nice to see you Jim .
Peace and comfort to you all.
Blessing Shirley and Mac Pellow.
So sorry to hear of Lucille’s passing. Sending our condolences and love.