Obituary Overview
BOYCHUK, Olivia
Olivia Boychuk (nee Melnyk) was born on July 25, 1926 in the RM of Rossburn, Manitoba and died on admittance to Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, AB on Sept 26, 2018.
Olivia’s mother Anne (nee Magnowski) and Nickola came to Canada from Poland and Austria (later Ukraine) and settled in the RM of Rossburn, MB. She is survived by her younger brother Peter Melnyk, her older sister Dorothy Sobieski and her twin (fraternal) sister Rose Brykaliuk. She cherished the memories of her mother and father as well as her sisters that had passed away before her (Anne Gensiorik, Gladys Sawchuk, Margaret Kostiuk, Natalie Keller and Merle Sysa).
Olivia moved to Winnipeg to become a hairdresser and follow her sisters to the Big City.
Olivia married William Boychuk Feb 12, 1966. In November of 1967, William and Olivia had a son and named him after William’s father and deceased brother, Myhilo (Michael) Boychuk.
Olivia was a full-time home maker and a part-time hostess at banquets and receptions at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Family was Olivia’s focus and spending weekends and holidays connecting with sibling families was important to her.
In 1981, William was killed in a workplace accident. Olivia was heart broken and was resolved that her love for William would last forever and she never remarried. She was tasked as a single parent and she self-studied on foods, nutrition and prevention. Olivia chose to live a healthy lifestyle before it was in vogue and lived like a person decades younger because she wanted to be around for her son and family.
In 1985, Olivia celebrated her son’s high school graduation and in 1989 and 1994 she celebrated her son’s University Degrees like they were her own. After years of doing everything she could to help with homework and pay for studies and all expenses, she was very proud of her son’s degrees in Economics (Arts) and Engineering. Michael’s education was a huge generational achievement as neither she nor her sisters were afforded the opportunity to pursue an education past Grade 8.
In 1995, she gained a daughter-in-law Jill. In 2001, she became a grandmother to Brooklyn. In 2004, she became a grandmother to Blake.
Arguably, the only people that she loved more than Michael were her grandkids.
Olivia loved her house, her garden, the outdoors and her family and friends as evidenced by the pictures on her walls and the Christmas cards strung out along the walls of her house. She bowled. She loved to travel. Her preferred vacation spot was Hawaii and her favourite place to be was with family.
In September 2014, after years of contemplating a move, she finally moved to Edmonton to be closer to and taken care of by her immediate family. In January 2015 and just days after coming back from her annual Mexican vacation with family, Olivia had a haemorrhage stroke. She miraculously survived the stroke but she had lost some memory, the ability to talk, walk and the ability to take care of herself. In long term care, she also broke her arm and hip. In spite of everything that she lost and the tough road ahead to regaining her abilities, she didn’t lose her strength and her resolve to live for her family. She worked hard, she pushed herself, she’d keep on trying to learn things all over again. With time, she regained the ability to communicate, to walk with a stroller, to get into a car and she enjoyed life with family and companions at Devonshire and every place that we took her. Anna, Ellen and Brooklyn were her companions and angels on a daily and weekly basis.
I loved my mother and she loved me. She loved the thought of me and who she would choose to be for me. She loved the thought of her life because of me. Her love created a space for my life. I love my mother, I love my life because of her love and I know my love, like hers will outlive her life and mine. I am blessed to have had and known such a wonderful mother. Mike Boychuk
An Edmonton Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6PM at South SIde Memorial Chapel, 8310 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E8. Following the Service, friends and family are invited to join the Boychuk’s at 939 Lamb Crescent NW, Edmonton, AB T6R 2X8.
A Winnipeg Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 2PM at Prairie Spirit United Church (formerly Sturgeon Creek United Church), 207 Thompson Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3E2. Following the Service, friends and family are invited to stay, share stories, tears and laughter.
Internment of Olivia’s ashes will occur in Winnipeg alongside her husband, William Boychuk, at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers for either Olivia or the Boychuk family, it is requested that you take a couple hours to visit an older family member that you haven’t seen for a while.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Olivia Boychuk 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta