Obituary of Julia Pacholko

The family of Julia Pacholko, of Prince Albert and formerly of Yorkton, beloved wife of the late Matthew Pacholko, sadly announce her passing on Friday, July 22, 2022. She was 104 years of age. Julia Clara Pacholko (née Smereczyńska) was born on October 26th, 1917 to Michał Stanisław Smereczyński & Anastazja Smereczyńska (née Osmak) at the family homestead near Willowbrook. Michał & Anastazja immigrated to Saskatchewan from Austrian Galicia in 1903. Julia was the youngest of six children and the last surviving member of that generation. Prior to immigration Michał lived in Radymno, Galicia and served as a sergeant in the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry. A man of many talents, he also managed his family’s farm and made shoes; he inherited his abilities from a long line of highly skilled shoemakers / leatherworkers on his fathers side – going back at least five generations. Upon immigration, he was offered a job with CN Rail like his brothers Nick and John but opted instead for a hard life of farming; he wanted the freedom of being his own boss and did not want to work for an employer again. Mom recalled that he was a very skilled violinist and frequently entertained family and neighbours with his music. Mom’s mother Anastazja was born to a farming family in Wietlin, Galicia. A strong, stoic and exceptionally kind woman, she met the trials of farming on the Canadian frontier head-on. Mom attended Radimno School until the eleventh grade when her skills were further required on the family farm. She was a diligent, bright student and had always desired to be a teacher. She was multi-lingual speaking English, Ukrainian, Polish and even some German as a child. She was a parishioner of Jaroslaw Church near their farm and recalled many happy memories there. Mom was extremely proud of her Ukrainian and Polish ancestry and instilled that pride in her family. She said the prayers, sang the songs (many in Ukrainian) and recited the verses she’d learned in school as a young child, until her last day with us! Mom came from a close knit family, something that did not change with time. They were both her relatives and her very best friends. She spoke often of missing her parents and brothers and sisters and recalled the many happy memories they shared. Julia was united in marriage with Matthew Clarence Pacholko from the Jedburgh area, on June 13, 1943 at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with four children: Clark (1945), Dean (1948), Janice (1958) and their most precious daughter Judy (1960). Julia was later thrilled to become the grandmother, great, grandmother and great, great, grandmother of many other children! Matthew was a teacher and the two of them resided in several small Saskatchewan communities during his teaching career. Mom successfully met the challenges of setting up a home, cooking and baking, planting a garden and raising chickens and ducks for her family at various schools, sometimes residing in teacherages. A few of the schools Dad taught at were Asguarth in Insinger, Walkerville, Willowbrook, Midale and Kipling to name just a few. Mom played an integral part in Dad’s teaching role frequently assisting him in writing plays, preparing scripts and songs and making costumes for the students. She was an excellent seamstress and also sewed dresses for women in the communities in which they resided. There is no doubt that Mom inherited her kind, caring demeanor, her passion for music, and her unwavering determination from her parents; like them, she faced the challenges of life with contentment, strength and resolve. Julia was a woman with an unshakeable faith in God; always grateful to Him for even the smallest blessings, and accepted the tragedy and sadness that came her way. One of Mom’s many amazing qualities was her sense of humour. Her grandchildren fondly remember joking and laughing with her well into the night. Her witty insights and remarks were always welcomed, especially in difficult situations, and reminded her family that to find humour in any situation was the best antidote to hurt & sorrow. Julia’s moral fortitude, her sense of right and wrong, informed everything she did, no matter how hard it was. Faith, honesty, kindness, resolve, acceptance and fairness – the legacy that she has bequeathed to her descendants is built upon this foundation. The way in which she lived her life challenges all of us to be kinder, stronger, and more virtuous; to elevate ourselves and become the people we are meant to be. She remembers her grandmother Ewa taking her skiing in the winter when she was a child, and recalls the days when she lived with them as some of the happiest in her life. Her grandmother joined them on the farm in 1924. Julia was a member of St. Mary’s Church Choir for many years and also enjoyed Christmas carolling at parishioner’s homes. She was a member of the Yorkton Seniors Kitchen Band and a lifetime UCWL member participating in meetings, fundraisers etc. She also loved volunteering at St. Mary’s old and new halls for weddings, funerals and special events. She was an avid gardener nourishing her family for many years with her produce. She grew lovely flowers and fruit trees and generously shared her delicious apples and plums with others to enjoy. Mom moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in March of 2013 to reside with her daughter Janice, Son in Law Bob, family and their puppies. She enjoyed several happy years in her new home and her family always felt blessed to have her with them! Mom passed away on Friday July 22, 2022 at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, Sask. Mom was predeceased by her parents, her five siblings Frank, John, Sophie Popovitch, Baby Mary, Mary Lemchuk, her husband Matthew and her son Clark. Left to mourn her passing are her son Dean (Diane) Pacholko of Calgary, daughter Janice (Bob) Northey of Prince Albert, daughter Judy Pacholko of Yorkton and daughter- in -law Linda Pacholko of Kelowna, B.C. as well as all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and physiotherapy team at the Yorkton hospital for their wonderful care of Mom in 2011-2012 , Prince Albert Home Care for their ongoing support and expertise, especially Nurse Michelle S., Dr. B. Sauve and Dr. J. Kondi and the Emergency and 5th Floor Staff at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert for your excellent, incomparable care! Memorial donations may be made to Saskatchewan Abilities Yorkton Branch as gifts of remembrance. Service Details. Prayers Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 | 7:00pm When: Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 7:00pm Location: St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Address: 155 Catherine St. YORKTON, SK S3N 0B9 Funeral Liturgy Thursday, July 28th, 2022 | 10:00am When: Thursday, July 28th, 2022 10:00am Location: St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Address: 155 Catherine St. YORKTON, SK S3N 0B9 Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Julia Pacholko October 26, 1917 - July 22, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book