Thelma Shewchuk-Baldwin

Feb 3rd 1926 – Feb 5th 2013

Born in 1926 to Fred and Domka Rudachyk, Thelma grew up in rural Saskatchewan and lived the bulk of her life in the Hyas and Swan Plain areas. Thelma was never one to sit still and her life path reflected that. Juggling the demands of working for her room and board, Thelma completed high school in Canora and then attended Normal School in Saskatoon. After a few years of teaching, Thelma married John Shewchuk and they raised three daughters. John farmed and she taught elementary school for 30 years in Swan Plain and Norquay until she retired in 1982. They relaxed and travelled a bit in their retirement but that ceased when John became ill. John’s death took place in early 1989, and the next few years were sad and lonely for her. She coped by keeping busy with her grand and great-grandchildren and they enjoyed perogies which she pinched by the hundreds. She also sold carrots grown in her senior-centre garden plot to raise money for the TeleMiracle organization which was very close to her heart. As everyone knows, Thelma wasn’t one to sit still and it was through her love of dancing that she met Art Baldwin at a Legion Dance. At age 70, she remarried and their five years together were peaceful and enriching. They exuded a warm companionship-type of feeling that showed they were content together. After Art’s passing, Thelma had to bounce back again, and she did. With that she brought her usual (higher than most) level of enthusiasm and gusto and she resumed an independent and adventurous lifestyle. The last three years of her life, however, brought health challenges that limited her freedom to do many of the things she dearly loved. Mushroom and berry picking, outdoor walks, spur-of-the-moment country drives and trips were especially missed. During that time, Thelma lived at the Elderlife Care Home, the Ilarion Residence and Cedar Garden Care Home, where staff provided much appreciated support to her and her family. Thelma was also predeceased by her parents Fred and Domka Rudachyk, her brothers Alex, John and Ted and her sisters Elizabeth and Mary. She leaves behind her brother Nick in Canora, and her sisters Joana in Edmonton and Gloria in Winnipeg. She also leaves behind four terrific grandchildren Lorena, Cherise, Stephen and Lindsey and two wonderful great-grandchildren Tyler and Taylor. Our mother’s passing has left us reflective, appreciative and saddened. We deeply thank everyone who enriched our mother’s life by being a part of it. Thank you so very much from Sonja (Ernie), Susan and Shirley.

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THELMA SHEWCHUK-BALDWIN

Feb 3rd 1926 – Feb 5th 2013

It’s with sadness we announce the passing of Thelma Shewchuk-Baldwin on February 5th 2013 at the Cedar Garden Care Home in Saskatoon. Born in 1926 to Fred and Domka Rudachyk, Thelma grew up in rural Saskatchewan and lived the bulk of her life in the Hyas and Swan Plain areas. Thelma was never one to sit still and her life path reflected that. Juggling the demands of working for her room and board, Thelma completed high school in Canora and then attended Normal School in Saskatoon. After a few years of teaching, Thelma married John Shewchuk and they raised three daughters. John farmed and she taught elementary school for 30 years in Swan Plain and Norquay until she retired in 1982. They relaxed and traveled a bit in their retirement but that ceased when John became ill. John’s death took place in early 1989, and the next few years were sad and lonely for her. She coped by keeping busy with her grand and great-grandchildren and they enjoyed perogies which she pinched by the hundreds. She also sold carrots grown in her senior-centre garden plot to raise money for the TeleMiracle organization which was very close to her heart. As everyone knows, Thelma wasn’t one to sit still and it was through her love of dancing that she met Art Baldwin at a Legion Dance. At age 70, she remarried and their five years together were peaceful and enriching. They exuded a warm companionship-type of feeling that showed they were content together. After Art’s passing, Thelma had to bounce back again, and she did. With that she brought her usual (higher than most) level of enthusiasm and gusto and she resumed an independent and adventurous lifestyle. The last three years of her life, however, brought health challenges that limited her freedom to do many of the things she dearly loved. Mushroom and berry picking, outdoor walks, spur-of-the-moment country drives and trips were especially missed. During that time, Thelma lived at the Elderlife Care Home, the Ilarion Residence and Cedar Garden Care Home, where staff provided much appreciated support to her and her family. Thelma was also predeceased by her parents Fred and Domka Rudachyk, her brothers Alex, John and Ted and her sisters Elizabeth and Mary. She leaves behind her brother Nick in Canora, and her sisters Joana in Edmonton and Gloria in Winnipeg. She also leaves behind four terrific grandchildren Lorena, Cherise, Stephen and Lindsey and two wonderful great-grandchildren Tyler and Taylor. Our mother’s passing has left us reflective, appreciative and saddened. We deeply thank everyone who enriched our mother’s life by being a part of it. Thank you so very much from Sonja (Ernie), Susan and Shirley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TeleMiracle (2217C Hanselman Court Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8) or The Heart and Stroke Foundation (279 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8). The prayer Service will take place on Feb 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm at Acadia-Mckague's Funeral Centre (915 Acadia Drive) and the Funeral Service will take place on Feb 9, 2013 at 10:00 am from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints (2616 Louise St) with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family respectfully asks that all those who attend refrain from wearing all perfumes, colognes and other scented products. Arrangements are entrusted to Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre 955-1600. (www.acadiamckaguesfuneralcentre.com)