Obituary
The death of Mary (MaryBelle) Pshebylo, age 90 years of Saskatoon, occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at her residence surrounded by the love of her family. The private Vigil of Prayer will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. and the Divine Funeral Liturgy for the family will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., both from St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 210 Avenue M South celebrated by Rt. Rev. Father Janko Kolosnjaji. Livestreaming of the funeral is available at: www.skeparchy.org/wordpress/livestream-ukrainian-catholic-cathedral-of-st-george/
Surviving are two sons Capt. Wes R. W. (Sunny) Pshebylo (Ret.) spouse Sharon Freeman, and Randy (Tammy); four grandchildren Hafon (Elizabeth), Mila, Marina, and Marek; one sister Annie Kostiuk and one brother Bill (Adelaide) Puto; sisters in law Darlene Puto and Mary Puto; her extended family in Ukraine, special goddaughter Onesima in Brazil, and numerous nieces and nephews. MaryBelle was predeceased by her husband Ronald; parents Hafon and Malanka Puto; three brothers John, Tim and (Lonesome) Steve Puto and an infant sister Sally; brother in law Steven Kostiuk. MaryBelle was born in the Oscar Lake District and was raised there. She often said their family was reasonably wealthy because only half of their house had a dirt floor. She received her teaching degree and taught at Concordia, Iroquois, and Lancaster Schools, while playing music in the family band at various dances and weddings in the area. The love shown for her mom and dad, and brothers and sister was through sharing in a much simpler time, as she cashed her first paycheque and bought a 25 lb pail of peanut butter they could all savour for days after craving this through some very hard times. She met and married Ron Pshebylo and they moved to Saskatoon in 1956 where together they raised their family and continued playing music. They were also active in Women’s Fastball, and with Dad coaching and Mom and her friends playing they ended up winning Provincials twice and were City Champions five times. In winter it was Broomball, and they enjoyed the many friends they made over the years with countless parties and socials at home, on the sidelines, or on tailgates anywhere. Her competitive sports spirit was always evident as she was found almost on the soccer fields or gym floors or ice hollering at the boys or cheering-on the grandkids. Whoa, come back here Baba! MaryBelle was employed at St. Paul’s Hospital where she was known for her smile and remarkable ability to remember the names of the staff and their families. She enjoyed working in the Nursing Office and loved the nurses. So did her sons. She later volunteered at St. Paul’s, and cherished her friendships with many who even visited her in St. Ann’s Home. MaryBelle spent countless hours travelling to watch her grandchildren in Ukrainian Dance competitions across the prairies and became every dancer’s “Baba” backstage helping or in the crowd clapping. She enjoyed going to the farm over the years, and still was active in retirement at the family farm. She loved to travel, and “only had one more continent to see”. Her last few years were at St. Ann’s Home, where she was an angel cared for by angels. Her remarkable desire to live was fueled by the love from her boys, her grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews. With Sunny’s reliable and dependable 4:30 daily phone call from overseas even when she couldn’t hold her phone, she always new it was him and was never alone. In recent notes shared with our family by friends of ours: “Of all my school friends, she is the mom I liked the most!”
“MaryBelle is one in a million. If her destiny isn’t the heaven created by our loving God there isn’t a hope for the rest of us. She was a saint in so many ways and I am sure the angels are waiting to welcome her home.”
Memorial donations may be made to Albertown Ukrainian Catholic Church c/o Box 333 Hafford, SK S0J 1A0, or Parkinson Canada in Saskatchewan, #110B – 2103 Airport Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6W2 to continue making advancements on this wretched disease.
The family would sincerely like to thank our personal friend and long-time physician Dr. Ron Kozakavich, as well as Dr. Woloshchuk and Dr. Roelens for their years of caring for mom. Special thanks to the staff of St. Ann’s Home for always making her laugh, keeping her healthy, praying with her, and ensuring her end-of -life care let her die with the peace and dignity she had hoped for.
Interment will take place in the Catholic Section of Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Mourning Glory Funeral Services 306.978.5200
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Pshebylo, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Pshebylo October 20 2020..
Mourning Glory Funeral Services
Death notice for the town of: Saskatoon, Province: Saskatchewan