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Mary Sawchuk Obituary
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7 Entries
Florence Kamelchuk
December 18, 2010
In my eyes your mom was always a great lady, so very friendly and kind. I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. We will miss her very much.
Warm regards to you all,
Mike & Florence Kamelchuk
This March 2009,
Tony Sawchuk
December 17, 2010
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I was honored to read this Eulicy at her prayer service last night.
Mary Sawchuk, a life well lived.
Good Evening… my name is Tony Sawchuk and I am very proud to be #4, on “TEAM MARY”. My Siblings and I have prepared a Eulogy for our dear Mother that I will try to read to you this evening, but before I begin, I would like to acknowledge what many may have noticed. .. Several members of the team could not be here with us this evening. You may be comforted to learn that most of the team, only days ago have returned to there homes and families far away. They and several others travelled great distances to visit her at her bed side, share precious moments, and say good bye. On behalf of “TEAM MARY”… Ernie, Gary, Dale, Grace, Gayle, myself, the spouses,and our children… thank you for gathering here this evening to pay your respects.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Pastor Ron… if I get through this reading, it will be because I can see him there, if I break down, I know you will still hear the reading, because I know, I can pass the ball to him if I need help, thanks Ron.
Speaking of balls, our dear Mother was NOT a ball hog! She instinctively knew when to receive and carry…when to hold on, and when to pass. Her first reception was 6 years after her wedding to Homer, she received and carried the first of her six children. She nurtured us all with warmth that lingers in our memories to this day. In those several summers when her husband was attending summer school to earn his Bachelor of Education degree she carried the ball seeing to all the many chores it takes to run the farm. Now I could regal you with the several stories of how well she carried the ball, but you may think I am contradicting myself. Just because she carried the ball often, that didn’t make her a “ball hog”. My brother Dale, certainly the most accomplished sportsman of the group would be the first to support the strategy of “giving your BEST PLAYER the ball! In this instance, the whole team certainly eats better, and, over all, prospers that way. I feel we did.
Those who can join us next summer, August the 28that at her celebration of life are sure to hear countless many stories of how well she met her obligations in so many ways.
She knew when to pass the ball off… nearly 2 years ago, she fell ill and gave herself into the wonderful care of the staff at the Athabasca Hospital. With her children at her side, bringing our Mother her favorite foods, and loosing at many crib matches, she gathered the strength to undergo surgery on December 31, 2008. Sadly, the best efforts, and quick insightful thinking of the surgeon, Dr. Hobart at the Royal Alex choose to spare her much suffering and a low survival probability by reducing the scope of the originally planned procedure. His prognosis offered but a couple of months for her stay on earth. She passed the ball off to my siblings and I as we returned her to home, and made every effort to keep her nourished, warm, and comfortable… the ball had traveled full circle.
Not so sadly, the little Polish Dynamo began to gather strength!! It was my good fortune to have spent just under a year with her as she improved every day until early in March of 2009 (this being past the expectations of Dr. Hobart) I teased her that I would take her to Kelowna to yet another grand family gathering/party. She was hesitant at first, but by May of that year, once again, the team that Mary built pooled their resources, and together my siblings, my wonderful girlfriend Marilyn, and I arranged a big motor home and struck off on a road trip through the Rocky Mountains, to Kelowna, to gather with the whole group yet again!
When I think of the most endearing aspect of our mother, 2 words come to my mind…
Unconditional Love….
I expect our Mother, Mary Gladys Sawchuk was herself a recipient of unconditional love, and passing it on she touched the hearts of so many with this incredible gift.
Those among us who have basked in the beautiful and comforting glow of such a powerful and enduring love are inspired in many many ways… for a life time.
1 ) We acquire a sense of self confidence early in life.
I have little doubt that her late husband, our Father Homer, while in basic training in Vernon BC, preparing to go to war, was inspired to return whole, and ready to resume his life with this beautiful woman when she visited him there and shared some moments together with him. Mary then traveled to Toronto where she stayed with her Brother and Sister-in-law Proctor and Dolly Sawchuk. She worked in a munitions factory in support of the war in general, but also, perhaps, in support of her dear husband.
2 ) We, curiously at a young age, then more passionately as we get older… observe and track the results of unconditional love. Some can be very profound! All lead to an improved quality of life.
Our farm home was a preferred destination for many of her nieces and nephews. Among them, Jennet Onyschuk (nee Zinski), Larry Zembal, her baby Brother Frank Zembal, and so many more. Her cooking was amazing and certainly a draw. The overall experience however included all the various demanding work a farm needed to prosper. Her guests worked hard along side us all, ate well, and returned as often as possible
3 )We are driven to aspire to our FULL potential… and more!
Her grandson Ken writes” I remember the night Tyson and I, at a very young age, were spending the night and I experienced team work for the first time. Tyson and I were playing while Grandma was preparing “Meat Stick”, one of our family fav dishes. We asked her “How much longer?”. We kept asking to a point that seemed like an eternity till she asked, “Why don’t you help?”. But we were just kids, not experienced. She set us up each at a station with flour and egg wash, gave us instructions and in no time they were in the oven. It was the most rewarding thing I had done at that age, and made me feel like an adult.
Her grandson Dave writes… The consistent thing about each image is not so much what she’s doing; but what she’s not doing – sitting! I don’t remember Grandma taking a second “off” in life. Each moment was lived to its fullest. Even late in life, Grandma was so active; so passionate; so involved. I should be lucky to extract half as much from life. Her passion for family, friends and community will always be a guiding light in my life. Not so long ago, my cousin Jason Haley and I stayed with Grandma… got up early to go golfing: we thought we were up first. Not by a long shot? Grandma was up an excited to go out to Grassland to chop 80 or 90 lbs. of cabbage… by hand! It was that moment that I realized the “bar” for living had been set very very high by Grandma. I’ll never forget that moment.
3 ) We are given ownership of a relentless purpose to pass it on to the next generation, and others who embrace such a worthy, and mutually gratifying effort in our lives.
At our several family gatherings, even if they think their old Uncle Tony can’t hear, I am listening to her grand children exchange there aspirations, I am watching the body language express confidence, and determination. I am… observing the positive influence that unconditional love is having on the next group to receive, and return it.
What a wonderful gift our dear Mother gave to so many. On behalf of myself, my wonderful and supportive Sisters and brothers, … and so many more thank you Mary, Gladys, Sawchuk. You have lead the way to a fulfilling life for your children, your grand children, and I am sure, your great grand children to come.
A life well lived
December 16, 2010
To Mary Sawchuk's Family
Our deepest sympathy in the passing of your dear mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in -law, and aunt, Mary. Mary was a very precious, caring, hardworking, generous, and loving lady and we all loved her dearly. Our hearts go out to you all. May God bless each one of you and give you help, comfort,peace and strength at this very difficult time. May God keep His loving care over you all always. With love and prayers Elmer and Aunt Elsie Kennedy and all my Zembal family
Olga Kowalyk
December 15, 2010
Our deepest sympathy to the Sawchuk family in your loss of your mother and grandmother. We always enjoyed visiting with her and her hospitality. Our prayers are with the family. Mike &Olga
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Dal Watt
December 15, 2010
To all the Family i send my sincere condolences. I know you all will have beauitfull memories of a most special lady.
Amanda Sawchuk
December 15, 2010
Grandma, you were a true inspiration and I will always love you! Your words of wisdom and advice will guide and accompany me for the rest of my life. Thank you for all the memories!Love,
Amanda
Suzanne Duma
December 15, 2010
I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of your mothers passing. She was such a wonderful woman and the real postive type. Thankfully she has left behind a wonderful legacy in the wonderful children and grandchildren.
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