OLGA BOYCE (PATRI)

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OLGA BOYCE (nee PATRI) On April 13, 1932 in Chisholm, AB, an Angel was sent from God to share her gentleness, love, kindness, compassion, caring and a great sense of humour with her family and those around her. On Thursday, March 3, 2005, Olga was called home after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 72 years. Olga leaves to mourn one daughter Sue Sobczak (Chester); granddaughter Tiffany; sisters, Rose Wolowich (Ed) and Jean Sherritt (Wes); sister-in-law Ann Patri; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Teckla Patri; her infant sister Olga; brothers, Walter and Eddie Patri; and her nephew Larry Patri. After Olga was born in Chisholm, the family moved back to the family farm in Mundare, AB and later moved to Edmonton before finally settling in Winnipeg. She had a good childhood in Alberta and shared many great stories about rural life and her large family. When Olga was 16 her mother passed away. She quit school to get a job and help her father raise the family. Olga always held the family in highest regard, demonstrating her loyalty and devotion. In 1954, she was married to Robert Boyce and two years later, her wish of having her own child was celebrated with the birth of Susan. Olga was a wonderful wife and mother sharing her heart and gentle spirit while providing knowledge, personal growth and courage in a loving and difficult home environment. Olga loved music and dancing. She was fortunate to live and experience the 1950s rock n roll music’s birth and evolution. Olga shared her love of music and dancing with Susan. She had fabulous fashion sense and shared her beauty and fashion secrets with Susan and later with Tiffany. Olga introduced Sue to roller skating at an early age and was very proud of initiating an artistic passion that has been a lifetime pleasure for Sue. Ollie was an immaculate homemaker, a very good cook and baked exceptional pies. Passing on these talents (minus the pie baking, as no one bakes a pie like Ollie) and demonstrating the true love of a mother are things held in highest regard by Sue that will be cherished. Olga was a talented seamstress, sewing clothes and skating dresses for Susan as a child and passing on the talent and love of sewing. Tiffany was fortunate enough to have some "Ollie Originals" hanging in her closet as a child. When Sue and Chester were married, Olga was extremely proud and very happy. She regarded Chester as the son she never had and was proud to have him join the family. Olga enjoyed their relationship and appreciated all the things Chester did for her; work around the house, cutting the grass in the summer and shovelling the snow in the winter. She became a very proud Grandmother when her best friend Tiffany was born. For 21 years, Olga worked at Simmon’s Ltd. as an assistant purchasing agent. Her retirement was a wonderful opportunity for her to share her care and love for Tiffany while providing a better alternative to daycare. Tiffany was fortunate to have this unconditional love, and truly shared her childhood with her grandmother. Tiffany and Grandma shared many favourite activities and TV shows. They could talk for hours about Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Y&R, and The Price Is Right. Special activities were working on puzzles, playing games and learning to play cards. Going out to the bank, IGA and the park were daily favourites. Grandma shared her special recipe for peanut butter cookies with Tiffany and baking cookies and cakes was another favourite activity. Sleep overs at Grandma’s house were always special and breakfast was usually Grandma’s special pancakes. Grandma shared her love of country music with Tiffany encouraging her to sing along with the Country Music TV channel or Grandma’s collection of records. She reminded Tiffany not to forget about one day pursuing Tiffany’s dream of being a country singer and to work hard in school to become a lawyer. Olga was passionate about card playing and loved a good game of cribbage. She shared this love with Susan, Chester and Tiffany. Nothing brought a smile to her face like a 24 point hand, a good crib, or skunking her opponent. She hated losing a game in the stink hole and getting double skunked was unimaginable. She would visit her father weekly when he lived in Deer Lodge Centre, having a nice visit, playing a few games of cards and then having a coffee and a bite to eat before going home. Ollie would do mending work for her dad and would always bring him a treat of one of his favourites, scotch mints, fancy toffee or humbugs. Ollie’s father served in both World Wars and she was extremely proud of his love and unselfish service to his country in times of war and all that Canada stands for. She was very proud this year, accepting her 30 year Legion Member Service pin from West Kildonan Legion. Service to the Legion is a family tradition and is continued through Sue and now Tiffany. Ollie loved Legion functions and thoroughly enjoyed the live bands on the weekend, dancing the night away as she was a fabulous dancer. Olga loved to experience life and try new things – she loved to travel, 10 pin bowling, bingo, playing the slot machines at different casinos, going out to eat Chinese food, liver and onions, a Salisbury House Nip and a good cup of coffee at Tim Hortons. She loved watching TV, her favourite movies were horror, western and old musicals. Her favourite stars were John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Elvis, Roger Miller, Jim Reeves, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis. A Celebration of Ollie’s Life will be held on Tuesday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Ave. (Kimberly near Henderson). A private family interment will take place at a later date. Our family would like to thank the Winnipeg Paramedic Service, Dr. Kristjanson, and the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital for their professionalism, compassion and exceptional care during a most difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Olga's memory may be made to any of her favourite charities: The Variety Club of Manitoba, 611 Wellington Cres., R3M 0A7 or Balmoral Hall School, 630 Westminster Ave., R3C 3S1 for the wonderful impact they have had on Tiffany's life. The Rotary Club of Winnipeg, 243 - 375 York Ave., R3C 3J3 or Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Ave., R2K 0X3 for their care of Community and Mankind, or to a charity of your choice. In tears we saw you sinking, We watched you fade away. You suffered much in silence, You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage, Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting Until the very end. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, And whispered, Come with Me. So when we saw you sleeping, So peaceful, free from pain, We could not wish you back, To suffer that again. Always remembered, always cherished. Each memory a part of us, A part of you, never to be lost. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2005