Doris’ Obituary
Doris Elaine Makowsky fell asleep in the Lord at the Canora Gateway Lodge on August 4, 2020, at the age of 93 years.
Doris was born on December 14, 1926, on the family farm to Peter and Anna (Derow) Krunek in the Springside District. She grew up on the family farm, received her early and middle school education at North Lake School, at Springside in higher school and at the Yorkton Collegiate in the last two years of high school. She worked at Dr. Pototski’s office for several years before taking Normal School, where she became a teacher.
As she would drive on highway 47 to Springside, Doris would point out the fields that she stooked grain and made hay to earn money to pay for her high school and later normal school. As a young woman, she had motivation, determination and tenacity to achieve the impossible. A passion for education and a thirst for knowledge can best describe the character of Doris Makowsky. This is illustrated by the numerous debates with colleagues, teaching young people the remedial qualities of language and music, many hours invested in community and volunteer organizations; and debating her reviews of journal articles on health, culture, religion or political topics with her peers.
The goals and aims of expanding education were to plant a seed, early into the young minds, to establish the will to live and make sense of our complex world. The commitment, discipline and benefits of learning and acquiring knowledge were to provide the means to seek out the purpose in life. Her philosophy was that each of us must find out for ourselves, what that purpose might be, and accept that responsibility. She aspired for young people to become leaders in the community that build a strong Canada.
Doris often would tell stories of her life during the great depression in the 1930s and the drought of the century. She and her older sister, Lena, would graze and herd cattle in Good Spirit lake (at the time known as Devil’s Lake) during the mid-thirties when the lake went dry. Her stories always stressed being able to survive, never go hungry, with a broad base of skills and the faith of the Lord.
Her teaching career began in Ebenezer, SK. She taught in several locations before finishing her teaching stint in Mazeppa, where she had great experiences with children and carried on extracurricular activity with school children including music and drama.
Doris married Leonard Makowsky of the Mazeppa district on June 23, 1951. They started a lifelong journey in farming and raised four boys, Michael, Father Taras, Andrian, and Merlin. Doris and Leonard enjoyed hosting children and exchange students from various countries as a means of expanding their knowledge. The passion for education was complimented by establishing a strong spiritual and family life, a solid base to separate out the emotional “Hollywood” experience for making responsible choices. The belief was that strong communities mean a safe and prosperous life.
Doris was a participant and leader in the community. She was a member and on the executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Women’s Association, The Decent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Orthodox Church Mazeppa, community associations, the 4-H club movement, school projects and was a lead figure at Camp Tryzyb, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Camp at Crystal lake for more than twenty-five years. Doris would spend hours preparing children’s programs, children’s cloths and prepare herself for Orthodox celebrations and community events. Every evening when she went to sleep, she would always close with “God bless” and “good night.” In 2012, Doris was recognized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Saskatchewan with a Community Recognition Award as a Nation Builder.
Doris was predeceased by her parents; husband, Leonard; brothers: Michael, William, John and Harry; sisters: Olga, Mary and Lena. She is survived by her four sons: Michael of Regina – Mykola (Shannon, Simon), Lucas (Lucia); Very Rev. Father Taras (Joanne) of Saskatoon- Oksana (Jason Uhryn, Evan, Emma), Tatiana (Roman Soltykevytch) Julian (Ivanna Kindrachuk); Andrian (April, Larissa, Matthew, Jordan) of Canora; and Merlin of Canora; as well as her sister, Rose (Mike) Kerelchuk of Saskatoon. Vichnaya Pamyat — Our love forever Baba.
The family would like to provide a sincere thank you to the staff at the Canora Gateway Lodge for the outstanding care that was provided during this exceptional time during the Pandemic. A special thank you to the clergy, Reverend Father Petro Tsenov and Very Reverend Archpriest Father Taras Makowsky and the cantor, Zenovia Duch, for attending the family services and to Leson’s Funeral Home.
Private family prayer and funeral services were held from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home. A Public Graveside Service/Interment was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 10, 2020, at the Sliding Hills Christian Cemetery, Mazeppa, SK.
Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to Decent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, Mazeppa, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Doris Makowsky.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Doris Makowsky 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan