OLGA (PROKOPOWICH) SAWCHYN

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OLGA (PROKOPOWICH) SAWCHYN Olga Sawchyn, aged 84, retired Head Postmistress of the Sifton Post Office and active member of her community, passed away peacefully at the Dauphin Health Centre in Dauphin, MB on July 7, 2005 with her family at her side. Olga was born in Sifton, MB on March 7, 1921 to the late Jessie (Basaraba) and Nick Prokopowich. The oldest of five children, Olga played an active role as a caregiver to her siblings. She attended school in Sifton and was united in marriage to Andy Sawchyn on October 28, 1939. Olga was blessed with two children, Jim and Jeanette. Olga and Andy resided their entire lives in Sifton and were always very active in their community. She always had a strong work ethic and juggled as many as three part-time jobs at once in order to provide for her family, working at the Sifton Woolen Mill and at Mary Maxim and sorting mail for Canada Post. This was the job that was to become her life's work as she was eventually appointed Head Postmistress of the Sifton Post Office in 1951, a position she held until her retirement in 1986. Olga loved to cook for friends and family and her door was always open to those in need. Olga was a very generous person and was always giving of herself. She was involved in many community organizations throughout the years including the Sifton Ladies Curling Club (10 years), the Canadian National Ukrainian Festival (25 years), the first Ukrainian Festival Choir (1968), the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League (15 years), the Sifton Stake and Barrel Club (six years), the Sifton 4-H Club (four years), the Sifton Zoryana Ukrainian Dancers (10 years) and the Sifton Homecoming Committee. She was a founding member of the Sifton Community Centre. Olga will be remembered for her unfailing commitment to her community. The St. Josephat's Ukrainian Catholic Church was a focal point in her life. She was actively involved in the choir and later became a Cantor. Olga served on the Board of Directors until her passing. She will be greatly missed by her church. Olga is survived by her son and his wife, Jim and Penny of Saskatoon, SK; four grandchildren, Heath (Adrianna) of The Pas, MB, Chris of Toronto, ON, Stephen (Anna) of Winnipeg, MB and Tanya (Darren) of Edmonton, AB; five great-grandchildren, Jacob, Brandon, Morgan, River and Ella; sisters, Alice (Len) of Thunder Bay, ON and Rosaline (Richard) Strauss of Winnipeg; brothers, Larry (Louise) of Surrey, BC and Ernie (Bonnie) of Salmon Arm, BC. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by her husband Andy and her daughter Jeannette. We will miss her smiling face and great sense of humour, which she kept even when her health began to fail her. A memorial service for Olga Sawchyn was held on July 13 at St. Josephat's Ukrainian Catholic Church. Interment took place on August 13 at the Sifton Parish Cemetery. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Buyachok officiated both services. All those who knew and loved Olga were her honorary pallbearers. If family and friends so desire, donations can be made in Olga's name towards the Sifton Community Centre. Olga's family would like to thank all of the staff at the Dauphin Health Centre for the care that she received over the years.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 13, 2005