Obituary of Patricia Popik

POPIK – It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Audrey Ann Popik (née Kozun), lovingly known as Pat, who passed away on July 4, 2026, in Regina, Saskatchewan, at the age of 67.

Pat was born on March 17, 1959, in Ituna, SK, to Terry and Olga (née Krywulak) Kozun. As the oldest of four children, Pat grew up on the family farm in Ituna, where she developed a lifelong love for family, tradition, and the simple joys of home. Her years growing up on the farm shaped many of the things she carried throughout her life, including her love of cooking, caring for others, and bringing family together. She shared a special bond with her mother, with whom she spent many hours cooking and learning the traditions that would become such an important part of her own family’s life.

Pat graduated from Ituna High School in 1977. She married Bill Popik on July 22, 1978. After farming in West Bend, SK, for a year and a half, Pat and Bill moved to Yorkton, SK, where Pat began building a life centred around family, community, and service.

Throughout her career, Pat brought warmth and care to everything she did. She worked as a hostess supervisor at Melrose Place for six years, at Parkland Greenhouse for one year, and later as a full-time cook at Aspen Bluffs Villa. She also operated an at-home daycare, where the relationships she formed became lifelong friendships for many families.

Pat’s greatest joy was being a mother. She always wanted to be a mom and she poured herself into raising her three children: Lisa, Kristine, and Ryan. Even while working full time, Pat always found ways to make her children feel loved and celebrated. She created handmade Halloween costumes, unforgettable birthday parties, and special family traditions. She had a gift for making ordinary moments into memories, from arranging a fairy tale birthday party where children dressed as their favourite characters, to bringing home the family dog Sparky, affectionately called “Sparkadillo,” as a Christmas surprise.

Pat celebrated every accomplishment, big or small, and made each of her children feel special. She shared a close bond with each of her children, and the family often joked about the special place Ryan held in her heart. One year, Ryan picked the heads off flowers from Pat’s garden to give to her as a gift. While the flowers themselves did not survive the gesture, Pat treasured the love and thoughtfulness behind it. Pat was especially excited to see Lisa and Kristine grow their families and looked forward to welcoming the next generation of her family.

Pat’s love extended naturally into her role as Baba. She adored her grandchildren, Emily and Harper, and had an effortless ability to make children feel happy and special. She could turn the simplest moments into joyful memories, whether through playful games or just spending time together. She loved choosing gifts and clothes for her grandchildren and sending care packages that somehow always contained their favourite things.

Family was at the heart of everything Pat did. She was outgoing, chatty, generous, and thoughtful. She rarely allowed anyone to visit without being fed, often sending her children home with a trunk full of homemade food. She showed her love through cooking, thoughtful gifts, scrapbooks, celebrations, and the many small details that showed people they mattered. She was known to say, “Good things come in small packages,” a fitting reflection of the big heart she carried despite her small stature.

Pat was deeply proud of her Ukrainian heritage, which was an important part of her identity. Raised speaking both English and Ukrainian at home, she treasured the traditions that connected generations. Ukrainian food and dance held a special place in her heart. She participated in Ukrainian dance growing up, encouraged her own children to take part, and devoted many years to teaching Ukrainian language classes to children and youth in her community. For 15 years, she taught students ages 3 to 17 at Sacred Heart High School and later at the Cultural Centre. Through her teaching, Pat shared something much deeper than language. She shared pride, belonging, and a connection to heritage.

Pat also gave generously of her time to many organizations and community efforts. She served on the Home and School Parent Committee at St. Paul’s School, sang with the Ukrainian Choir at St. Mary’s Church, led cooking activities with 4-H, spent a season as director of St. Michael’s Bible Camp, helped reopen the Block Parent Program and served as its chairperson for 10 years, and volunteered with her family at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre.

Her commitment to family traditions was seen in countless ways. She organized large Easter egg hunts on the family farm with her siblings so the next generation could grow up sharing those memories together. She made Ukrainian blouses for Andrew and Bryce when they married into the family. She also choreographed a Ukrainian welcome dance for Terry and Olga’s anniversary celebration, performed by their grandchildren, including Pat’s children and nieces and nephews. It was a moment that meant so much to Pat and her parents as they watched the next generation carry their Ukrainian culture forward.

Pat remained very close with her siblings throughout her life. Henriette, Bernadette, and Danny shared her deep commitment to family, creating a bond where cousins grew up together surrounded by love, fun, and laughter. During Pat’s final months, her siblings were a constant source of love and support, standing beside their sister and bringing comfort through their unwavering devotion.

Pat was a faithful Ukrainian Catholic, and her faith guided much of who she was. Her love of family, service, culture, and tradition were deeply connected to the values she held close. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity, thoughtfulness, and love, a legacy that will continue through her children, grandchildren, and the Ukrainian traditions she worked so hard to preserve.

Patricia is survived by her mother, Olga Kozun; her children, Lisa (Andrew), Kristine (Bryce), and Ryan (Iryna); her grandchildren, Emily and Harper; her siblings Henriette (Doug), Bernadette (Kevin), and Danny (Leanne); and many extended family members and friends who were blessed to know her.

She was predeceased by her father, Terry; brother-in-law Lyle; and nephew Devin.

Pat’s greatest gift was the way she made people feel loved. Whether it was through a home-cooked meal, a carefully chosen gift, a scrapbook filled with memories, a garden she lovingly tended, or a playful moment with her grandchildren, Pat had a way of making people feel special. She created a sense of home wherever she went. The traditions she carried forward, the family bonds she strengthened, and the love she gave so freely will continue through all those fortunate enough to know her. She leaves behind not only memories, but a legacy of warmth, faith, generosity, and love that will live on for generations.

Prayers were held on Monday, July 20, 2026, from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, with the praying of the rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, also from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Stephaniuk as celebrant. Michaela Kozun served as cross bearer. Phyllis Shewchuk read the epistle. The interment followed in the Churchill Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery with Bryce Doell, Doug Hague, Zach Kais, Danny Kozun, Andrew O’Reilly, and Steven Matschke serving as casket bearers. Lisa O’Reilly, Ryan Popik, Nicole Matschke, Laurie Kais, and Susan Malinowski delivered tributes at the hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Churchill Community Centre as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.

Вічна Памיять! – Eternal Memory