Obituary of Catherine Pankiw

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother (Baba) and great-grandmother on Monday, December 2, 2019.  Mom was born on July 7, 1927 in Melville to Fred and Rosie (Pilipow) Machula. She grew up on a farm west of Goodeve and attended Stryj School. For a short time she did leave home to work in Regina and then returned home to help her parents out. In May of 1946 she met the love of her life, John Pankiw, at her cousin’s bridal shower. The following year they got married on October 23, 1947 at St. Elias Church west of Goodeve. They were blessed to have been able to celebrate 72 years of marriage on October 23, 2019. During her days on the farm, Mom was a great gardener, fantastic cook and was always there for our family and unselfishly offered a hand to friends and neighbours when needed. She enjoyed doing needle work, reading, bowling and was also involved in the church in various capacities.  Mom had a very kind gentle way about her. Mom and Dad retired from farming in 1991, but continued to live on the farm till moving to Yorkton in 1994. They moved to Saskatoon into Illarion Residence in November 2013. During her stay at Illarion she was treated with kindness by all who got to know her. It was a heartbreak to dad and all of us to see them separated in November 2018 as Mom moved into the dementia unit at Oliver Lodge. Her kindness remained as one day she witnessed another resident struggling with feeding himself, she got up and went over to assist in feeding him. Her love for dancing stemmed from all the dances  she and Dad attended during their life. She thoroughly enjoyed the music entertainment at Oliver Lodge and loved to get up and dance if the opportunity was there. Many staff at Oliver Lodge also commented on her quiet sense of humour.  Catherine is survived by her loving husband John, daughter Judy (Brian) Archer of Saskatoon, three sons,  Len (Robbi) of Devon, AB, Ron (Sue) of Rainbow Lake, AB, Brian (Eileen) of Edson, AB, eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren as well as sister Anne Nazarevich and family of Winnipeg, She was predeceased by her parents Fred and Rosie Machula, sister Olga, brothers Willie and Joe and brother-in-law Al Nazarevich. We  extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. B. Martens and staff at Oliver Lodge for their kind and wonderful care given to our mother. Also for all the expressions of condolence conveyed to our family.
We will forever miss you Mom
Rest in Peace
The Prayer Vigil will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm and the Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 10:00 am followed by a reception. Both services will take place at Saskatoon Funeral Home and will be presided by Fr. Peter Wasylenko. The interment will be on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in Ituna with committal rites by Fr. Michael Faryna.  For those so wishing memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.