Obituary of Mary Sauchuk

SAUCHUK -Mary was born March 20, 1924 in the Wroxton District to Eli & Mary (Kozaruk) Eftoda who immigrated to Canada in 1898 & 1899 respectively. Eli homesteaded on NW 14-25-32 W1 which was Mary's birthplace. Due to her father's failing health, Mary was often kept out of school to help at home. Her mother took care of her father while Mary pitched in with all the chores. She attended Torsk School until grade 4 or 5. At that time she was taken out of school to work full time at home. Mary worked very hard, doing all the household duties and helping with the chores outside. Mary's mother died in 1943 leaving Mary to take on the role of the mother. On October 22, 1944; at the Romanian Orthodox Church West of MacNutt; Mary married Peter Sauchuk, son of Kost & Nellie Sauchuk of the Calder district. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Ken in 1946, Patricia in 1949 and Virginia in 1953. In 1946 Peter and Mary took in Mary's sister (Virginia) and raised her until she got married in 1951. Over the years, Mary worked along side Peter on the farm. Each year when the fall work was completed they would take a much deserved, although short trip. Peter played with the Western Moonlighters at many weddings and social functions and Mary would join him and enjoy the music. Mary also enjoyed past times which included various crafts, crocheting, knitting, weaving & hooking rugs, sewing for her family & friends and quilt making with her good friends. She enjoyed working with the soil - her vegetable and flower gardens were a testament to that. She enjoyed children and baby sat for many of her friends and relatives. She was a terrific cook and took pride in keeping her house spotless. Peter & Mary continued farming until 1974 when tragedy struck and Peter became totally paralyzed as a result of a farm accident. Mary's determination along with her moral and physical support helped Peter regain the use of his body enough to once again share the work in looking after the farm yard which consisted of several flower beds, a large vegetable garden and a large lawn. At this time the farm land was rented out. In 1994 Peter & Mary sold the farm. In the fall of 1994 they moved to the Co-op Apartments in Roblin, MB. However, tragedy struck again, on January 11, 2002, when they lost their son Ken of Penticton, BC to cancer. Mary was the main care giver and as Peter's health slowly deteriorated so did Mary's. In March 2008 Mary & Peter moved into Crocus Court Personal Care Home in Roblin. They were together all through their married lives - even in the Care Home they were in rooms across the hallway from each other so they could see each other in their beds. Mary always said she wanted to die on the same day as Peter did - she survived him by only 23 days. Mary is survived by two daughters; Patricia (Victor) Yakabowski, Dauphin, MB; Virginia (Roy) Allen, Roblin, MB; eight grandchildren; Kevin Yakabowski (Cherilyn Leblanc), Winnipeg, MB; Kerry (Waldemar) Wyszynski, Calgary, AB; Karen Koutroubis, Winnipeg, MB; Shannon (Rick) LeBlanc, Kelowna, BC; Kendra Yakabowski, (Chris Frazer-Harrison), Calgary, AB; Ken (Annette) Allen, Roblin, MB; Jamie Allen, The Pas, MB and Kathleen Lauttamus (Michael Bilay), Brandon, MB and eight great-grandchildren; Madison & Kelsey Yakabowski, Winnipeg, MB; Johannah & Braden Mehling, Steinbach, MB; Daniel Wyszynski, Calgary, AB; Paige & Hayley Allen, Roblin, MB and Roxton LeBlanc, Kelowna, BC. Mary is also survived by one sister, Virginia Wereschuk, Yorkton, SK along with numberous nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husband Peter (March 22, 2010), son Ken (January 11, 2002), father Eli Eftoda (December, 1947), mother Mary Eftoda (February 27, 1943), brothers George (October 14, 1995) John (March 25, 1998), Ted (July 29, 1983), Walter (March 15, 1991), James (September 10, 1943), Peter (July 1, 1982), Nick at 4 - 6 years of age, an infant brother Nick at birth and an infant sister Mary at birth. Funeral Service was held Monday, April 19, 2010 at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Pastor Heath Butler officiating.Casket Bearers were Kevin Yakabowski, Ken Allen, Jamie Allen, Waldemar Wyszynski, Chris Frazer-Harrison, and Jim Eftoda. Interment was in the Garden of St. Luke, Yorkton Memorial Gardens. A memorial luncheon was held at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre. Memorial Gifts in memory of Mary may be made to the Roblin and District Community Foundation for Crocus Court Personal Home, Box 1599, Roblin, MB R0L 1P0 Baileys Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Service Information Monday, April 19th, 2010 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens