Irene Marie WASYLYK

Irene Marie (Bilyk) Wasylyk
June 7, 1938 – March 18, 2017
Irene Marie (Bilyk) Wasylyk died in the early morning of March 18, 2017. "Choch" Auntie Irene was born in Rosthern on June 7, 1938. She was the fourth child of Michael and Dora (Hawrish) Bilyk. Irene grew up on the family farm near Rosthern and finished her schooling as a student of older sister Elizabeth in a one-room school house. After dancing up a storm at country dances, she moved to Saskatoon and worked for the Police Department as an admin clerk and later as a court stenographer with the Provincial Court - from where she retired in 1999. She married Taras Wasylyk in 1976 and they spent their time at their home in Eastview, at Taras's farm near Bremen, on trips to Vegas and Hawaii, and with family and friends visiting, playing kaiser, and giggling. She loved to garden, play practical jokes, and make holubtsi for any occasion... and hers were the best! Irene loved to sing and always had a big smile on her face. Choch did not have children but instead played a big role in the lives of her nieces and nephews - she loved them like her own and her affection was reciprocated. She made generous efforts with them enjoying time with them at home, at the farm, travelling, teasing them, taking them shopping... spoiling them. It was a rite of passage to drop by Choch's house with new boyfriends or girlfriends to make the introduction and get approval. Three and a half years ago, Alzheimer's disease led Irene to become a permanent resident of St. Joseph's Home where she was very well cared for. About a year and a half ago life went full circle when her sister, Betty, moved in and shared a room with her just like when they were growing up on the farm. She enjoyed visits by her nieces and nephews and treats of coffee. Thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph's for their care, compassion, and spiritual guidance, and to the staff and health care providers. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Minnie, and husband Taras. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth (Karpo) Gabruch, brother Edward (+Betty), and brother Ernie (Bea). She is also survived by a special cousin, Nellie Gillespie, nieces Rosanne (Brian) Chelack, Laurianne Gabruch (Lyle Hassen), Erin (Bradley) Mockford, and Gabruch nephews Don (Lydia), Larry, Rob (Liana), Tom (Sandy), and Rich (Tanya), Bilyk nephews David (Colleen), and John, her brother-in-law Ted Rybchynski, and her sister-in-law Natalie (Ben) Maruschak and their daughters and families. She also loved and was loved by many grandnieces/nephews. The Funeral Liturgy for Irene will be on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at St. Joseph's Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph's Home (33 Valens Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3S2), The Children's Hospital (because Choch was a big kid herself), or a charity of your choice, would be a great tribute.
Choch!
To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca "Obituaries- Contribute". Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach, Park Funeral Home, 306.244.2103.