Obituary of Sophie Leontowich

LEONTOWICH - On the afternoon of September 26, 2011 Sophie Leontowich of Ituna Pioneer Health Care Centre suddenly passed away to everyone's surprise. She was 88 years of age. Sophie was born June 1, 1923 the fourth of ten children born to Stanley and Mary KONARSKI (nee ROKOSH). She attended Hubbard School and completed her grade eleven then due to her father's poor health she remained on the farm to help. She married Fred LEONTOWICH on November 17, 1942. They would have been married 69 years in November. They were blessed with six children. Sophie was very active in and proud of her community. She served on the Ituna Klenovee Lystky Dance Club, Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, Sacred Heart Parish Choir, Sacred Heart Parish Council, Sacred Heart Parish Hall Building Committee, Ituna Arena Association, founding member of the Ituna Figure Skating Club, Ituna and District Recreation Board, Ituna and District Pioneer Lodge Board and a member of Ituna Town Council for over 20 years. She did books at the garage for over 45 years when initially it was supposed to be for only a few months. As busy as she was she always found time for her family. Her garden, yard and flower beds were a labour of love. She spent many hours cooking for the family and keep two large deep freezers full to capacity. She was famous for her "pot parties" a pot of perogies and a pot of cabbage rolls. She enjoyed knitting and made sure every Christmas that every member of her family was never short of mitts, socks and dish cloths. In the early years Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling to different places but later their enjoyment was visiting Richard and his family on the island. When the family was young every Sunday after church we went fishing to places like Fort Qu'Appelle, Indian, Stoney and Pelican Lake and we even got to take friends. July long weekend fishing excursion to Nipawin and Tobin Lake, Mom's menu would include perogies, french fries, fried chicken, homemade Chinese food, mushroom gravy and if the fishing was good fried fish, all cooked over a camp stove. All her children's weddings took place in Ituna except Duane and Leslie which was in Weyburn. So Mom packed up a ½ ton and camper full of food just in case there wasn't enough in Weyburn. We are really going to miss her every Christmas, Easter, birthday, anniversary or holiday. She had many close calls with death but somehow managed to survive. Then due to failing health she entered the Ituna and District Pioneer Lodge on August 6, 2009. When she entered she was very frail but due to excellent care her health improved to the point where she seriously considered coming home. She did come home last weekend to attend the baptism of her great grand daughter. She leaves to mourn her husband Fred, son Richard, his children Jeff (Heather) and Kent, daughter Carolyn (Terry) KORCHINSKI, their children Marney (Joe) JOBIN, Becky (Jeff) KARKUT (Will and Katy Rose)and Amanda, daughter Eileen (Paul) L'HEUREUX, their children Michael (Jessica)(Sophia) and Conrad (Alicia)(Dylan and Joseph), s on Donald (Nancy) their children Leslie (Ryan) BULYCH (Grace and Ella), Lindsay (Chris) PALMER (Cohen and Grayson, Lanjell (Derek) and Lucinda, son Glenn (Shelley) their children Elisa (Jamie) DUMALSKI (Ava), Adam, son Duane (Leslie) their children Sarah and Luke. Her sisters Ann NEFF, Julie McLEAN and Victoria KLIMCZAK and brother-in-law Alex (Adella) LEONTOWICZ and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents , sisters Helen, Kay and brothers Frank, Tom, Mike, Ted grand daughter Tamara and daughter-in-law Georgie. Prayer Services were held on Thursday September 29, 2011 from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ituna. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Friday September 30, 2011 from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church with Very Rev. Fr. Boris Kyba C.Ss.R as the Celebrant. The cross bearer was Jeff Leontowich and the epistle reader was Terry Korchinski. The Liturgy responses were sung by, Wayne Bozulak, Ladimer Moskal, Heidi Spilchuk and members of the Sacred Heart Parish choir. The UCWL Banner Bearer was Jane Chorney and members of the UCWL participated as an honour guard. The interment followed in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery with Richard Leontowich, Donald Leontowich, Carolyn Korchinski, Glenn Leontowich, Eileen L'Heureux and Duane Leontowich as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home Service Information Friday, September 30th, 2011 10:00am, Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church Interment Details Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery