The funeral service will take place on Friday, July 2 at 2:00p.m. from St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The interment will follow in St. Henry’s Parish Cemtery.
Family & friends wishing to support the family may view a Live Stream of the funeral service by clicking on the link below at 1:45p.m.
www.facebook.com/pg/yourfamilylikeapartofours/videos
Sophie was the eldest of three daughters born to William and Nellie (nee Kravich) Kostyshin in Melville, Saskatchewan, and lived until five days before her 98th birthday. As a young girl, she attended Melville’s St. Henry RC school. Her early love of music included playing guitar and singing in her school and church choirs, as well as the Plain View Church choir. It was there that she met her husband to be, John Borys of the Fenwood District.
Sophie and John were married at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melville on Sept. 28, 1941. They became active members of the parish and Sophie remained a member for nearly 80 years. Having a wedding during WW2 meant white lace was rarely available so her lovely wedding gown and veil were a unique pastel coral color.
Sophie and John raised three daughters: Joan (Robert) Hale of White Rock, BC, Geri (Blair) Taylor of West Kelowna, BC, and Valerie (Robert) Milne of Toronto Ont. and Naples, Florida. They supported each of them through their education to their chosen profession as Registered Nurses.
Being a talented homemaker and accomplished seamstress, Sophie loved to sew. Her daughters and others benefitted by having new outfits sewn for many occasions. She was also very creative in knitting, petit point, and she belonged to Melville’s Quilters Guild. She won awards for her beautiful flower gardens and landscaped yard. Typically, her home would be filled with music and her own beautiful soprano voice. She taught her daughters how to harmonize with her and sing along with favorite songs on the radio, especially while washing dishes, and always on the many family car trips.
Family vacations were a must for Sophie and John every year. They included frequent visits to family, with destinations from BC to Ontario and various USA locations, including Florida and Hawaii. She was also an avid bowler and shuffleboard player. Shelves were filled with her trophies. She took pride in belonging to the Melville Square Dance Club, in volunteering with the Melville Horticultural Society, St. Peter’s Hospital Auxiliary, Thrift Shop, St George’s Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and choir, Yorkton St Mary’s Ukrainian Church choir and the Melville Seniors Club. In many of those organizations she was an active member of their Boards, holding various positions.
Sophie’s Christmas festivities went on for weeks to include Ukrainian Christmas and Malanka. Dinners of fabulously delicious food were rotated at homes of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Evenings would not end before several games of cards were played. Her Ukrainian heritage was cherished and well celebrated.
In 1988, she had the courage to take up driving at the age of 65. She loved driving her car, kept it spotless and drove until the age of 88. Her husband John passed away in 2003 and Sophie took over running the house and garden on her own, as her children lived out of province.
In 2010 Sophie moved from her beloved home in Melville, leaving behind many family members as well as lifelong friends. The move was a big adjustment but with determination she established herself as an active resident at Westwood Independent Retirement Residence in West Kelowna BC. There for almost 10 years, she made new friends and involved herself in many of the social activities. She helped to establish the Westwood Chimes Choir. Sophie also maintained a little garden and her balcony was always filled with pots of flowers.
In August 2020, following the need for a rehab hospital during the Covid 19 pandemic, Sophie moved to the Evergreen Care Home in White Rock, closer to her eldest daughter. She resided there for almost 6 months until her passing on Feb. 5, 2021.
Sophie is pre-deceased by John, her husband of 61 years, her parents and her younger sister Val Sastaunik, John’s parents Stephen and Catherine (nee Zinchuk) Borys, John’s siblings and their spouses: brothers Bill (Mary), Nick (Anne), Peter (Sophie), and his sisters: Mary (Mike) Dubiel, Nellie Borys and Ann Borys.
She leaves to remember her: three daughters and their husbands, her grandchildren: Tiffiny (Jason), Brent, Kristin (Adam), Alison(Zack), Whitney(John); great grandchildren: Ty, Tate, Sophie Oona, and Theo. As well her youngest sister Wilmarie (Lloyd) Sastaunik, brother-in-law, Art Sastaunik and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Almost 98 years of living and leaving an indelible mark in so many lives she warmly touched. She will be fondly remembered by all whom she gave to so willingly. And so with heartfelt sorrow we say goodbye to our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Sophie Borys.
Sophie’s wish was to be buried next to John in Melville.A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 from St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church. Interment will follow in St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home in Melville. In kind remembrance of her, notification of charitable donations, Mass offerings to St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church or Memorial Fund are in care of: Bailey’s Funeral Home, Box 2729, Melville, Sask. S0A 2P0.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sophie Borys Kostashyn Friday February 5th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Melville, Province: Saskatchewan