Mary BOYCHUK

Mary Boychuk (nee Humeny)
Passed away peacefully in her sleep at Samaritan Place on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the age of 98. Mary was born on March 1st, 1916 in Fraserwood, Manitoba. Her parents both came from the Kiev area of the Ukraine in the late 1800's and met after arriving in Canada. Mary was the third of seven children born to her parents, Anna and William Humeny. The Humeny family moved to the Eatonia area in Saskatchewan in 1926. Mary attended Holbeck School and used to tell stories about what it was like then and not being allowed to speak Ukrainian at school. Mary completed Grade Eight and wished she could have had more schooling. The Boychuk and Humeny families became close friends in Manitoba and settled near each other in Saskatchewan. Over time, three Humeny siblings married three Boychuk siblings resulting in many double cousins and very close family ties. Mary was 19 years of age when she married the love of her life, Mike Boychuk in 1935. The "dirty thirties" were tough times to make a living farming on rented land. In 1945, Mike and Mary and their three year old son, Gary, moved to Saskatoon for the next three winters so that Mike could get jobs shovelling coal and/or digging ditches. Mike built three houses over those winters using the money he earned and made good money selling them. This was the beginning of their family company Boychuk Construction which is still owned and operated by the family. Mike often said he did not think he would have been as successful without Mary, who was hard working and frugal. Mike and Mary were very happily married for 57 years. Mike often commented on how proud he was of Mary. She was a good wife and mother; great cook and homemaker. She looked after him, making sure he was well dressed every day. He liked that she kept good care of herself. Together they had three children, Gary, Fred and Anne (Honya). Throughout their lives, Mike and Mary supported hospitals and museums and were active in the growth and development of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church; of the Mohyla Institute and of the Ukrainian Ilarion Residence for Seniors. Mary did the financial record keeping for the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon for the twenty years while it was developing. Mary's husband Mike passed away in 1992. Her strength in dealing with the business after Mike's death was admirable and she continued to be supportive of her family. Mary talked about Mike often saying how lucky she was to have had such a good husband. After twenty years had passed, Mary said she had gotten so old she was worried that Mike would not recognize her, knowing he is waiting for her to join him in the afterlife. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Anna and William Humeny; her husband, Mike Boychuk; her son, Gary Boychuk; and her great-granddaughter, Kya Topp-Cameron; Mary's siblings: young brother, Theodore (Fred) Humeny; brother, Stanley Humeny and his wife Mary; Mike Humeny and his wife Nettie; brother, Horace Humeny; sister, Katie Boychuk and her husband Nick; sister-in-law, Annie Filyk and her husband Nick; and brother-in-law Paul Boychuk. Mary is survived by her son Gary's wife, Rita Boychuk; his children: Mark Boychuk (May) and son Liam; Lisa Boychuk (Curtis); Mike Boychuk (Sherry) and their children Matthew, Katie and Emma. Her son Fred Boychuk and his wife Kathy, their children: Adele Boychuk; Mike Boychuk (Kristie) and their children Sam and Lucas; and Aaron Gordon. Her daughter, Honya and her husband Ron Olson, and their children: Marilee Fehr (Kelly) and their children Coralee and Preston; Mike Topp (Amanda Ilg) and children: Lexie Topp Howard and Jaxson Ilg; Erik Olson; and Stephanie Olson. Mary is also survived by her brother, Sam Humeny and wife Virtue; her sister-in-law, Eleanor Humeny and sister-in-law, Jean Boychuk Hope; and many nieces and nephews. Mary lived in her own home until she was 96 years old with the support of dedicated caregivers for the past eight years. Their companionship and care added to making Mary's last years positive and enjoyable particularly in Mary's last two years at Samaritan place. Our thanks to all the staff at Samaritan Place for their help and support. Mary will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Mike, who we know will be relieved to have her back at his side. A Funeral will be held to celebrate Mary's life at the Saskatoon Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon, August 21, 2014 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Condolences may be emailed to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME (306) 244-5577.