In Loving Memory of

Minnie Sawchyn

Memorial Service

Friday, January 18, 2019

10:00 a.m.

Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church

Wynyard, SK

Minnie was born to Ukrainian immigrant parents on July 22, 1923 on the farm four miles north of Wishart. She was the seventh child of Fred and Dora (Wasyliuk) Bzdel.

Minnie attended Honey Bank School until Grade 5. She worked with her siblings and parents helping with the family farm. On December 13, 1942 Minnie married John Sawchyn. They were married in St. Catherine’s, Ontario where John was employed as a truck driver and Minnie worked at the Yaling Town Factory.

In 1946 they moved 15 miles south of Wynyard and farmed for 20 years raising livestock including her prized turkeys and peacocks. She was a very hard worker all her life and was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She always found something to laugh about at work as well. In 1947 they lost their twin boys at birth. Three years later, in 1950, Ronald was born and Robin in 1952. In 1967 they moved closer to town and continued to farm until John’s death in 1982. In 1968 she also started working at the Capri for Benny Jang and worked there for 14 years. Minnie moved to town in 1982 after John’s passing and worked for a short time at Mom’s Restaurant then ventured into employment as a cook for the Sacred Heart Rectory for the Redemptorist Fathers for 9 years. She was always very involved with the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church; singing in the choir, hosting special events, planting flowers, cleaning, rolling perogy dough, changing candles, embroidering alter cloths and was a member of the Sacred Heart UCWL for 35 years. Minnie also volunteered many hours at the Wynyard Golden Acres.

John and Minnie enjoyed travelling together. Some of the places they travelled were to Edmonton and Toronto both by train and they also took a trip to Hawaii. Minnie cherished her many trips to Calgary with son Ron and daughter-in-law Carole to visit her grandchildren Lauren (Kent) and Ryan, great grandchildren Aiden, Macy and Evan whom she adored. She also ventured to Salmon Arm, BC by Greyhound Bus to visit her son Robin, Debbie and granddaughter Robyn, she enjoyed her visit very much. She treasured the visits from her brother Bishop Michael Bzdel and was very saddened the day he passed away.

Minnie’s garden was legendary, you could not go to visit her without her loading you up with the many vegetables and flowers she grew. She loved to share and was very generous. She was very talented at needle point, cross stitch, crochet and even made a few quilts.

Minnie was predeceased by her parents Fred (1963), Dora (1987), infant twins (1947), husband John (1982), son Robin (2015) and siblings Mac, Mike, Annie, Paul, Lena, Katie, Peter, Joseph, Doris, Michael and Polly at infancy. Left to mourn her passing are her son Ronald (Carole), grand children Lauren (Kent), Ryan and Robyn and great grand children Aiden Sawchyn, Macy Palmer and Even Palmer, sisters Marion Courte, Irene Yaskowich and numerous nieces and nephews.