The family of Dora Hughes of Fort Qu’Appelle and formerly of Yorkton and the Calder area, widow of Sam Hughes sadly announce her passing on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at the age of 102 years.
There will be a Private Family Funeral Service held on Wednesday, December 16.
Dora Hughes (nee Ellenchuk) was born on July 18, 1918 at home, in a two room house, on Section 9, a farm North of the Village of Calder. The eldest daughter and second child of Theodore (Fred) and Maria (nee Kowula) Ellenchuk. Dora and her brother Bill were inseparable companions and play mates. Later, when two more brothers, John and Matt and their “little sister” Audrey arrived, they all experienced many exciting and hard – to – imagine antics! These stories became family folklore that they loved to recount with much laughter and joy throughout their lives!
Dora walked to her local rural school, Two Creeks. She LOVED school. She loved learning, loved competitive sports, and loved music. From an early age her strongest wish was to be able to own and play a piano!
Dora was always known to be a hard worker. After completing her Grade 10 by Correspondence courses, she moved to Calder and worked at several different jobs. A year or so later she attended a two week sewing course in Yorkton, conducted by the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
She bought a sewing machine and began sewing aprons for $0.15; but, because nothing was too difficult for her to figure out, she began designing her own patterns and sewing suits, dresses, gowns, coats and many other items. People knew she could create anything they asked for!
Sewing was her passion. In the late 30’s she began working at a part-time job as a telephone operator on the Calder Exchange Switchboard. Bit by bit her hours increased to full time.
Dora was united in marriage to the love of her life, Sam Hughes, on May 14, 1944 in Calder. The couple began mixed farming just outside of Calder in the spring of 1945. Dora was a multi-talented woman. She loved to draft and plan using graph paper. Then, she brought the plans to reality doing the rough carpentry, fine carpentry and final painting. Along with working side by side on the farm with Sam, she supplemented their farm income by providing services to the community as a seamstress, hairdresser, upholsterer … as well as a full time telephone operator. When the local telephone services closed, Dora transferred to Canora, Sask. Then, from Canora she transferred to Yorkton in 1967 where she worked till she retired on December 18, 1981. Dora and Sam retired from farming in 1986, but remained on the farm until August of 1997 when they moved to Yorkton. After Sam’s passing in 2007, Dora remained in their home in Yorkton till 2014, when she moved to Hayes Haven (Assisted Living) in Indian Head. During that autumn, Echo Lodge Long Term Care in Fort Qu’Appelle became her new home.
Dora was a scholarly person – intelligent, capable, a self-starter, and life-long learner. She continuously read and studied to expand her knowledge and skills. She role modelled competency. Because of her exceptionally wide range of interests and second–to-none work ethic she accomplished much more than many do in one life-time. She presented herself as capable, and there was nothing that she was not able to do when she set her mind to it!
Dora was vivacious, energetic, spunky, and strong willed. Sam said she was a “conniver” and always looking for something different to do … never just lolly-gagging. She was a designer, creator, thinker, solution finder, and decisive decision maker. She was confident and sure minded. She could think through, and cut to the chase on issues that tended to block most others.
Of all her multitude of interests and passions, her greatest love was for her family! She was the best Mom anyone could ever hope to have; and, she very much loved her “girls”. As well – she had an intense love for her extended family. Family members said: “She was a huge life force who left us all with only good memories”!
To top it all off …. Dora was a “character”! She had an awesome story telling ability and a terrific sense of humor. How she loved to laugh! She was entertaining and pure fun to be with! Over the years, she and Sam always managed to be young minded and young hearted. She kept up with the times, looking young, stylish and youthful right through her 90’s.
Dora’s wonderful qualities have made a lasting impression on all who knew her. Her Sasktel workmates stated that: “Dora liked everyone and everyone liked her!” “She was priceless!”
Dora lived an unusually long and wonderful life! She passed away in her own personal room at Echo Lodge, on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. She was 102 years and 4 months old.
One nephew said: “We thought Auntie Dora would live forever!” Well, she will! … In all our memories…
Predeceased by her parents: father Theodore 1979 (87 yrs), mother Maria 1987 (90 yrs). Siblings: William 1991 (75 yrs), John 1978 (58 yrs), Matt 1966 (42 yrs), Audrey 1991 (64 yrs). All of her sisters and brothers-in-law. Son-in-law: Orest Halyk 1986 (37 yrs). Dora leaves to mourn and to cherish her memory: two beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte and Don Schindelka (Katepwa Beach), Donna and Dennis McMorris (Balcarres). Two grandchildren: Avry and Rhys and their spouses Colin and Diane. Three great grandsons: Trai, Konor, and Karver Halyk (all of Alberta). Four grandchildren by marriage and their spouses: Dana and Stephanie (Calgary), Dara (LaRonge), Joel and Crystal (Regina), Jessica and Joseph (Victoria). Nine great grandchildren by marriage: Ciaran, Benny, Sam, Josiah, Liam, Luke, Brigham, Molly, Finn. One great-great granddaughter: Maro. And … many, many caring and supportive relatives and friends.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dora Hughes Ellenchuk Tuesday December 8th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Yorkton, Province: Saskatchewan