Obituary of Audrey Balaberda
The family of Audrey Balaberda of Yorkton, beloved wife of Andy Balaberda sadly announce her passing on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Audrey was 74 years of age.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, December 12 at 10:00a.m. from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church with Rev. Father Bohdan Lukie serving as Celebrant.
Memorials in memory of Audrey may be made to St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church Building Fund or SPCA as gifts of remembrance.
Audrey was born December 27, 1950, to Mary and Nick Dereniwsky. She grew up on the farm north of Rhein. She attended school in Rhein and enjoyed playing sports, especially baseball. She attended Sacred Heart High School for her senior years. During this time, she met her husband, Andy.
Audrey was married to Andy on October 10, 1970, and lived together in an apartment across from the hospital. They purchased their only home at 480 Riverview Rd shortly after when their first son Blaine was born in 1971 followed by Kelly in 1974 and Darren in 1976.
Audrey worked at various positions in her early years at Zellers, Mohawk Bakery, eventually starting at the Yorkton Union Hospital in housekeeping and laundry departments. However, her main job that she was best at was taking care of the boys, Andy, and the home. She was an amazing cook, and everything she baked or prepared was top notch. She always added that little “extra” ingredient or as she would say” you have to taste it maybe add a bit more.” She could create a feast on a moments notice. Her Ukrainian heritage and customs she was proud of and were displayed during the special holidays. She was the boys’ number one cheerleader at all the sporting events. She worked hard to ensure the boys had a new pair of shoes, or skates to play their sports. She enjoyed fishing and was a master angler. She would enjoy the day on the water and reeling in constant walleye. Audrey would never get skunked fishing. After the day was done getting the limit of fish, she showed off her skills filleting the fish to perfection. She also was a card shark and enjoyed playing Troika (kaiser), Canasta late in the evening. She enjoyed travelling to Hawaii, Orlando, Las Vegas, Nashville, Dominican Republic but her favourite place was being at home. Her yard was pristine and top notch. The flowers and trees always meticulously trimmed and was a true paradise. The love not only she had for her family and friends but also flowed over to her cats at home as you would visit and she always had one of them on her lap or sleeping with her. She enjoyed watching a variety of sports on TV especially, hockey watching her Leaf’s, curling, and blue jays’ baseball. Eventually mom would continue her ways cheering on her six grandkids in their sporting events and activities. Her famous chocolate sheet cake was a hit with the grandkids. The family has tried to duplicate this cake but never as good as she could make it. “Baba Said” was a phrase often used by the grandkids. If “Baba Said” they could have it then there were no questions asked. This led to Audrey with the help of Andy to create her cookbook for her family with all the famous and favourite dishes included. The title of the cookbook is “Baba Said.”
Audrey was predeceased by her father Nick Dereniwsky (1978) her mother Mary Dereniwsky (2002) and her only sibling Lawrence Dereniwsky (2002). Her cats Misty, Magic, Gizmo, Wendel and Junior.
Audrey is survived by her husband Andy of 55 years of marriage. Her sons Blaine (Yolanda), Kelly, Darren (Chantel), 6 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her two cats Missy and Bochka.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care.
