Obituary of Patricia Procyshyn

PROCYSHYN - Patricia Procyshyn, longtime resident of Yorkton, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was 91 years of age. Patricia Ann Procyshyn was born in the Hamton district on the family farm November 11, 1921 to Nicholai and Domka (nee Polibroda) Kozushka, pioneer settlers of the province. She attended the Mennofeldt School, a country school on the quarter section across the road from the family farm. She enjoyed school and did very well completing her last year through correspondence. She was athletic and loved to play ball, being the prize pitcher at many an area sports day. The household of 8 children was a busy and musical place, with most every sibling either playing an instrument or singing along. The Kozushka home was often the gathering place for the neighbours to sing and dance late into the evening. On November 10, 1940 Pat was united in marriage with Harry Procyshyn, the youngest son of Wasyl and Pearl (nee Achtemichuk) of the Donwell area. The couple first settled on the Procyshyn family farm for a short time. Then during the war years, they relocated to find work in Ontario, living in both Parry Sound and Toronto. Pat worked various jobs including as a waitress, at Metropolitan jewelry department, at the Campbell Soup Factory and at the British Small Arms Factory where they manufactured rifle barrels. Pat was on the Campbell Soup ball team during that time and often recalled hitting a home run with loaded bases her very first game. Harry worked for Sarnia Nobel Mining Company and later honed his building construction skills working on the construction of the airport at Goose Bay. In 1944, the couple moved back west; first to the family farm and then in 1946, the couple made Yorkton their permanent residence. Harry then established the Procyshyn Construction Company and the couple continued to work together to build a thriving construction business. As their business grew, so did the family, and soon there were four children: Kenneth, Grant, Sandra and Randall. Pat was a devoted wife and mother and worked hard to make her home one where both family and friends were welcome. She will always be remembered for being an excellent cook and hostess, quick to whip up a delicious meal for any size crowd. Her kitchen was always a buzz when relatives would travel to Yorkton for business and stop in for a visit. Pat was very accomplished with most every type of hand work: knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing. She took sewing lessons and learned to sew her own curtains, quilts, costumes, clothes for herself, for her daughter and many other family members when asked or needed. She gave knitting lessons in her home to various student school groups. All her grandchildren were the proud recipients of sweaters, mitts and bonnets lovingly crafted by Baba with love. Pat was active in her Ukrainian Orthodox church and remained strong in faith and her beliefs. She was a long standing member of the church choir, happy to join with her alto voice. She held various executive positions within the church over the years, including: Hall Convenor for the Coronation Hall, secretary and president of the women's Olena Pachilka Ladies Auxiliary. She was proud of her Ukrainian culture and heritage and instilled a love for those traditions in her family. Curling was a favorite past time for Pat which she continued well into her years, until a broken ankle forced her to stop. She played various positions in both the ladies and senior leagues. She loved to bonspiel in the area and brought back many trophies and prizes over the years. She also liked to take her turn organizing, so she acted as secretary for the Yorkton Ladies Curling Club. Pat's love of music and singing led her to the Organization of Sweet Adelines. She enjoyed this ladies barber shop group for over a decade. The harmony of voices and friendships she formed with the club were cherished. The group performed for various community functions and traveled to competitions as far away as Calgary. Pat enjoyed travelling and visited Hawaii, saw much of the USA in three bus tours, toured the Holy Land in 1982, Ukraine in 1985, and Australia and New Zealand in late 1989. In January 2009, Pat moved from the family home that Harry had built for them, on 38 Tupper Avenue, to the Bentley Retirement Home, then in the summer of 2010, she relocated to the Gladstone Senior Assisted Living Residence. Pat's sweet and gentle spirit along with her giving nature and her dedication to family will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her. She never complained and was grateful for all she received and saw each new event in life; whether good or otherwise, as a challenge to be met and mastered. Her encouragement of others was most times not with words or long speeches, but by example and by deed. Her grandchildren meant the world to her; she was a very proud Baba. She was always ready with a quick smile, a little joke and giggle right to the end. She will be missed and lovingly remembered - Memory Eternal. She leaves to mourn her passing three Sons: Ken (friend Debby) of Yorkton and Ann's children Shawna (Brad) McClinton and David (Crystal) Murphy; Grant of Regina and his son Chris (Jennifer) Procyshyn; Randy (Larissa) of Calgary and his children Ryan Procyshyn and Britt (Michael) O'Neill; one Daughter Sandi (Wayne) Shewchuk of Yorkton and their children Zak and Lexi Shewchuk; and four Great Grandchildren: Jane Procyshyn, Jill Procyshyn, Charley O'Neill and Ozzie O'Neill; one Brother Nick Kazuska and Sisters-in-law Mary Procyshen and Jean (John) Sawchyn and other extended family members. Pat was predeceased by her husband Harry (1990); daughter Linda (1950); her parents Nick (1984) and Dora (1990); sisters Nelda Rolley, Betty Drushka (2007) and Sadie Pawlik (2010); brothers: Walter (1984), John (1988) and George (1992), daughter-in-law Ann Procyshyn (2007) and niece Carol Strilchuk (2002) as well as other extended family members. Prayer services were held on Tuesday evening, January 8th 2013 and the funeral service on Wednesday morning, January 9th, all from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton. Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiated. Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitksy, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was Janice Fedorowich, the bannerbearers were Lexi Shewchuk and Lisa Fedorowich. Members of the Ukrainian Women's Association, Olena Pachilka branch formed an honour guard at the church. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Wayne & Zak Shewchuk, Chris & Sheri Fedorowich, Lorne & Chris Procyshyn, Vince Pawlik and Wayne Kazuska serving as the casketbearers. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery