Obituary of Vonda Kowalyshyn

Mrs. Vonda Eleanor Kowalyshyn of Edmonton and formerly of Ituna, SK; beloved wife of the late Leo,entered eternal rest on Monday, December 31, 2007 at Edmonton University Hospital. She was 73 years of age. Vonda was born in Ituna, SK, on July 7, 1934. Vonda was one of three children born to Mary and John Kobialko. On October 25, 1951, Vonda married Leo Kowalyshyn in Ituna at the Sacred Heart Parish. They were married for 49 years. Together they raised three children and were blessed with seven grandchildren. Vonda shared her life with her loving husband and considered herself blessed to share the joy she and Leo had as they were both devoted to the responsibility of maintaining the family farm and raising their family. Vonda devoted 33 years of her life as a nurses aid at both the old Ituna Hospital and the Ituna Union Hospital. Vonda was a very active member within her parish. Vonda was actively involved with the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League. Vonda enjoyed gardening, curling, singing, cooking, and volunteering within her community. During the last two years in Edmonton, AB, Vonda met many new friends, volunteered at St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church, and was involved with quilting for the Stollery Children's Hospital. She enjoyed fishing on weekends at some of the family's favorite Alberta lakes. She was instrumental in the start up of a prayer group. Most importantly, Vonda was able to spend and devote much of her time with her children and grandchildren. Vonda was an amiable person and cherished the many friendships she made throughout her life. All who knew her will remember her warm sense of humor, her love of family and her big heart. Vonda leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her daughter Audrey and her husband Don Kowalchuk and their three children Shawn, Sheri, and Brad of Edmonton, AB; her daughter Arlene and her husband Dennis Pelley and their sons Daynen and Matthew of Edmonton, AB; her son Leonard and his wife Brenda Kowalyshyn and their daughters Kayla and Trinda of Edmonton, AB; her brother Ted and his wife Josie Kobialka of Saskatoon, SK; her sister Nettie and her husband Frank Misiurski of Regina, SK. Vonda was predeceased by her mother and father and her husband."If only we could see and feel the joy the angels felt as Vonda was welcomed to eternity within the Lord's embrace. It's a comfort to know she is in heaven with the Lord". We will miss you our mother, our grandmother, our sister, our auntie, our friend. Thank you for gracing our lives and making memories we will cherish in our hearts forever. A Prayer service was held on Friday evening, January 4, 2008, from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Ituna, SK with the praying of the Rosary; led by members of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada preceeding. The Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Saturday morning, January 5, 2008 from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church with Very Reverend Father Boris Kyba C.Ss.R. as Celebrant. The responses to the Liturgy were sung by Wayne Boczulak, Ladmer Moskal and Heidi Spilchuk. Larry Tymiak was the Palamar and Eucharistic Minister. Charlene Hubbard was the Cross Bearer with the Epistle being read by Janet Ling. The Ukrainian Catholic Women's League served as Honour Guard with Adella Zatwarnitski carrying the UCWLC Prapor. The interment followed in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery with Honourary Bearers: Charlie, Stanley Kowalyshyn, Ted Kobialka and Frank Misiurski and Brad, Shawn, Don Kowalchuk, Kevin Kobialka, Darcy Dorush and Dennis Pelly serving as Casket Bearers. At the memorial Luncheon reflections of Vonda's life were given by granddaughter Sheri Kowalchuk and son Leonard Kowalyshyn. Isaiah 40 - 29 "He giveth power to faint and to them that have no might he increases strength". ETERNAL MEMORY services directed by Bailey's Funeral Home Ituna - Yorkton N THE BLINK OF AN EYE Well now, it's over before it started One day you're here the next you're gone But now, your memory's just been started It'll be here long after you're gone. We're left behind and we remember I'm sure no one will soon forget They say that memories last forever A place in time that's always kept To everyone who cared about you To send a prayer to you somewhere To everyone who's going to miss you To everyone who's ever cared. But do these words change a thing, They can't change what has become I try to think of what might have been I know I'm not the only one. Who's left behind and who will remember And who will never forget They say that memories last forever A place, always kept. So much time yet to spend, Why does it have to end In the blink of an eye MY HOME IS IN HEAVEN I have a home that is fairer than day, And my dear Saviour has shown me the way; Oft when I'm sad and temptations arise, I look to my home far away. My home is in Heaven, there is no parting there, All will be happy, glorious, bright and fair; There'll be no sorrow, there will be no tears, In that bright home far away. Friends I shall see who have journeyed before And landed safe on that beautiful shore; I shall see Jesus, that will be my joy In that bright home far away. O who will journey to Heaven with me? Jesus has died that we all may be free; Come then to Him who has laid up for you A crown in that home far away Service Information Saturday, January 5th, 2008 9:30am, Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery