Anne Sawchuk, 91

Peacefully in the late afternoon of October 7th, 2010 our mother, grandmother and great grandmother was called to join her Creator and Lord.
Mom was born November 25th, 1918 in Lepine, Saskatchewan to Alex (Les) and Mary Oleksyn (Tokaryk). Mom was born one of twenty children and spent her early and formative years growing up on her family farm and took her schooling in a one room school house in Bonne Madone, Saskatchewan.
Anne then moved to Thunder Bay to take employment building aircraft parts for the war effort. In 1941 she moved to Rainy River, Ontario, to live with the Petruik family and her sister Mary. There she met her husband to be, Harry, and they were united in marriage on October 29th, 1944 and subsequently enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage on their river front farm.
Anne’s theatre was her kitchen where she produced the most wonderful and bountiful and tantalizing meals for her family and anyone who happened along. She loved to make the traditional Ukranian dishes and we enjoyed many a feast which included her perogies, cabbage rolls and special breads. Her cinnamon rolls and cookies where a hallmark and drew the praises of all. She was equally at home in the outdoors and pitched in for many many years attending livestock of many types and nurturing her much loved garden and especially her flowers which were always a profusion of colours.
Despite her busy life which involved raising six children, and operating a farm she still found time to actively contribute to church suppers, bazaars and teas, was trustee on the Separate School Board, member of the Horticultural Society, member of the Lady Trainmen and volunteered her time for Meals on Wheels. She also enjoyed ceramics, knitting and embroidery work.
In their retirement years she and Dad spent several winters in Victoria, B.C., cruised to Alaska and enjoyed the sunshine in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Left to cherish her warm and caring nature along with her quiet smile and humble personality are her six loving children, Herb (Sue) of Chesterfield, Michigan, Ken (Louise) of Atikokan, Ontario, Bob of Sleeman, Ontario, Linda (Jim) Coyle of Fort Frances, Ontario, Harry W. (Barb) of Ear Falls, Ontario, Patti Sawchuk of Winnipeg, Manitoba and grandchildren, Tanya (Mark) Piraino, Wendi (Eric) Salmon, Bryce (Lindy) Coyle, Tyler (Andrea) and Lindsey Coyle, Jeff, Kyla, Kendra and Ryan Sawchuk and great grandchildren Marina, Marissa, Trevor and Jenna.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harry (2004), parents Alex (Les) and Mary Oleksyn, sisters Mary, Polly, Minnie, Pauline, Jean and brothers John, Peter, George, Walter and Victor and son-in-law Larry Coyle. She is survived by sisters Helen, Eva, Rose, Toni, Olga and brothers Joe and Ed.
A funeral mass in celebration of her life was held on Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Good Council Church in Rainy River, Ontario with Father Albao officiating.
Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rainy River, Ontario. If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Box 444, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 3M8 or any charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
Pamyat Vischnaya.