Obituary of Mary Anne Dolgen

DOLGEN - It is with much sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear sister. Mary Anne Dolgen (nee Popowich) on November 12, 2012 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She was 83 years of age.Mary was born on the farm in the Whitesand district on February 17, 1929. She was the oldest daughter of the late Wasyl and Maggie Popowich. Mary received her elementary education at the Black Poplar School. Since she was the second oldest in the family she had to assist with farm chores as well as help her parents in raising the younger siblings. At age 16, she wanted to move on, as she tells the story, I wanted to start travelling and see the world. At 17 she moved to Ft. San and lived with Auntie Nellie Bennett. Here she learned alot of sewing and stitching skills. While in Ft. San she got a job at the sanitorium, as a nurse's aid. Within a year she got the urge to move again. She convinced Aunt Pearl to move with her to Portage La Prairie, MB. Here she got a job at the clothing factory. Later that fall she noticed that a canning factory was hiring, so she and Aunt Pearl moved to Niagara on the Lake. As soon as the canning season was over they were laid-off. Mary moved again to work in the sanitorium at Muskoka, ON. Shortly thereafter she moved to Niagara Falls to work in a chain making factory. It was here in 1953 that she met the love of her life Ed. They got married in 1955. Work was scarce in Ontario at that time, so they decided to move to the United States and settled in Connecticut. It was here that Mary was successful in getting employment in a clothing factory. Her job was to design women's undergarments. She was also responsible for writing operating procedures for sewing these garments. Mary was very happy here, unfortunately the company closes its doors and moved the plant elsewhere. Mary declined a transfer and chose to be laid-off and as a result retired to look after their acreage in Munroe, Connecticut. In 1991 they moved back to Saskatchewan, in particularly the farm in the Whitesand district. Back to where her family roots started. She lived on the original homestead until 2000 and then chose to move to Yorkton, where she resided until her passing. Mary loved to travel. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed doing puzzles and would spend hours at this. She was always watching the news, to keep up with what was happening in the world and current events. She was a nature lover and loved spending time at the farm listening to the birds sing or the animal that moved about. Family was also important to her and she always insisted that we all look after one another and never lose track of where family members are. Her plans to continue travelling came to a sudden stop when her husband Eddie passed away. This was a devastating blow from which she never recovered. She tried desperately to restructure her life, but just couldn`t find any purpose or fulfillment to life without her partner and soul mate. She missed him dearly, to the point where nothing could bring her joy to fill this big void in her life. She was not at peace with herself and this made her life very difficult and empty. Mary was predeceased by her parents Wasyl in 1977, Maggie 1984, her husband Eddie in 2008, Brother John in 1994, Sister Olga in 1994, Brother Paul in 2010 and earlier Sister Rose Marie and four Brothers Michael, Alex and twins Ronald and Donald. She leaves to mourn her loss, Brother Peter (Adeline) Popowich, Steve (Sonia) Popowich of Yorkton, Sisters Anne Klyne and Helen (Ernie) Colter of Vancouver, BC, Brother Tony (Sylvia) Popowich from Stony Plain, AB, Brother Willie (Bev) Popowich from Raymond, AB, Sister Adeline (Ron) Babiuk from Killam, AB. As well as many nephews and nieces. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, November 23, 2012 at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. The responses were led by Gerald Yaholnitsky and parish choir members. Serving as the cross bearer was Tracy Miller. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Richard Boychuk, Russell Boychuk, David Uhryn, Ronald Boychuk, Kelly Popowich and Glenn Popowich serving as the casket bearers. Tributes to Mary were given by brothers, Steve and Tony. Memorials honouring Mary's life may be made to Holy Transfiguration Church or Mary's special charity, an orphanage in Ukraine. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya pamyat! Eternal memory! Funeral arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Friday, November 23rd, 2012 10:00am, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery