DORA SAWCHUK

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DORA SAWCHUK Dora Sawchuk of Rossburn, MB passed away at the Russell Health Centre on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at the age of 91 years. Dora was born in the R. M. of Rossburn to Wasyl Kawka and Annie Lotocki who emigrated from Ukraine. She attended Chmelnycki School which was in the Glen Elmo district and later Mears. She learned both English and Ukrainian which proved quite helpful in later years. After she passed grade six, Dora went into Rossburn to work for the summer. The wages were very small in those days. After her two months in town, she arrived back home with the intention of buying her clothes and books to go back to school. Her plans changed the very next day. A salesman arrived at her parents with sewing machines. The salesman spent a lot of time, and Dora decided to buy the machine with the money she earned, which was $40.00, and didn't go back to school. She practiced for a long time on the machine until she thought it was perfect and from then on neighbours and friends kept her busy in her sewing business. On May 7, 1939 she married Alex Sawchuk and moved in with Alex to his county grocery store, which he operated for a couple of years. He then added an oil business and transfer business. After eight years Dora and Alex quit the store, moved to town, built a house and Alex remained in the transfer business. Dora brought her sewing machine into town and soon she was sewing again. She had a very good business and had made so many friends and customers. Dora's husband Alex died on December 22, 1972 from cancer at 62 years of age. That was an unexpected blow and changed Dora's life completely. However, she managed very well and after a couple of years she thought life must go on. In 1977 Dora traveled with her niece Elizabeth Warbansky to take in many Ukrainian festivals. They traveled to Winnipeg, Vegreville, Calgary, Edmonton, Dauphin and Brandon. They then traveled to Thunder Bay and to the CNE Show and Festival in Toronto and then onto Chicago. Dora enjoyed it all. Dora was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Ukrainian Catholic Church in Rossburn and well as the Ukrainian People's Home in Rossburn. She received a 25 year certificate for being a leader in the 4H sewing club. Dora enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower garden and also attended Bingo's that were sponsored by the Drop In Centre and quite a few other organizations. Winning was the best part. Dora was predeceased by her father Wasyl on June 20, 1947, mother Ann January 24, 1967, brothers; Michael November 24, 1963, Peter May 4, 1970, John April 5, 2000 and Nick December 12, 2004. Prayers were held on Sunday, March 26 and the funeral was held on Monday, March 27 from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Ukrainian Catholic Church, Rossburn with interment following in the parish cemetery. Fr. Edward Danylo Evanko officiated. Pallbearers were Peter Rubeniuk, Peter Suderman, Dennis Kalyn, Jeff Kostuik, Harvey Barnesky and Kelvin Mazur. The crossbearer was Jack Kostuik. The eulogy was given by Lynda Suderman. Rae's Funeral Service of Shoal Lake and Erickson was in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2006