Annie Zarowney

Annie Zarowney (née Guley) was born January 1, 1935, on her father’s homestead at High Tor, Saskatchewan. Annie was the second of five children born to George and Irene (Slobogan) Guley. In 1937, the family moved to Scrip, Saskatchewan, where Annie completed Grade 8 at the Scrip School.
On July 22, 1951, Annie married Joseph Zarowney and they made their home on the farm at Paswegin. To this union eight children were born, John, Phyillis, Arlene, Rita, Allan, Mary, Peter and Dennis.
Joe and Annie weathered the good and bad farming years together. There were bumper crops and bad harvests, the endless hard work of everyday chores, milking cows and feeding animals while taking care of eight children. Annie was incredibly hard working and loved farm life. She was fiercely independent, never wanted to move off the farm and determinedly stayed at home until the final days of her life.
Annie was a kind and generous soul and she made her home a refuge for her family. Friends and neighbours were welcomed into her home, promptly offered coffee, a bite to eat and a sympathetic ear if needed. She and Joe were always ready to lend a helping hand or give to a friend in need.
Annie lived for her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She loved the big family gatherings, especially Christmas Eve when she prepared a delicious, traditional Ukrainian Christmas supper. Her best times began with her house stuffed to the rafters with family and friends and there was always room for one more at the table.
Annie was always young at heart and made time in her life for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandma would let you stay up all night playing video games, take you to the pool every day and tell you stories of the mischief your parents got into - which gave you leverage when they lectured you. With eight children, fifteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, her phone was always busy – but if you called during a curling game you had better be prepared for a play by play, complete with criticism of the curlers technique!
Annie’s greatest sorrows were the loss of Joe in 1999 and her beloved daughter Mary in 2013. Through it all, Annie remained a tower of strength to her family, fighting through her grief to go on one day at a time.
In August 2015, Annie began a long battle with cancer, surviving an emergency surgery for stomach cancer. To our sorrow, the cancer reoccurred and on January 27, 2017, she passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Regina General Hospital.
Annie will be deeply missed for she was an amazing woman whose caring, compassion and understanding made her a cornerstone of our lives. Family and friends treasure memories of life with Annie and it is the day-to-day wit, wisdom and enduring love that she gave us all that we will miss the most.
Annie was predeceased by her father, mother, husband Joe; daughter Mary; son-in-law Bill Townend; brothers, George (Marlene) Guley and Alex Guley; in-laws, Annie (Jonas) Qually, Pauline (Andrew Chorney, Nick Dvernichuk), Margarette (Earl) Johnson, Alfred Olson, Hannes Wick, and John Lazaruk.

She leaves behind to mourn her children, John (Donna) Zarowny - grandchildren Shannon (Doug): great-grandsons Brandon, Colby, and Ben Rothlander; Baron (Shelby Stecyk); Crystal (Kris Hilderman) great-grandson Henri. Phyillis (Wayne) Rorquist - grandchildren Jackie Rorquist and Cameron (Michelle). Arlene Townend - grandson Ryan. Rita (Rakesh) Kaushal - grandsons Pavan (Carrie) and great-grandson Riley; Sunjay (Johanna) and great-granddaughter Hayden; Krishan (Danielle). Allan (Marjorie) Zarowny - granddaughter Janine. Peter (Lorraine) Zarowny - grandchildren Shayla, Colton, and Kaden. Dennis (Debbie Diamond) Zarowney - grandchildren Jamie and Brianna Diamond Zarowny; her sister Mary (Garry) Shepert; brother John (Carol) Guley; sisters-in-law, Nellie Olson and Judy Lazaruk; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.