Phyllis Symboluk

Phyllis Symboluk was known as the life of the party. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Phyllis will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Phyllis was born on September 26, 1926 at Sault Ste. Marie General Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. She was the daughter of Anne and William.

      As a young girl, Phyllis had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games such as Tin Can. She was curious about the world around her and grew up to explore it. In her spare time she helped tend the garden and farm animals. However, to Phyllis, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.

      A typical teenager, Phyllis had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. Phyllis attended the Tech high school. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was mathematics.

      Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew, Phyllis enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during her lifetime.

Phyllis was the dear sister of the late Mary Wysynski (late John), late John Prokopchuk (late Ellen), late Sophie, late William (Rita), Mildred Mancuso (late Jim), Mac Prokopchuk (Greta), Gloralyn Donnelly (Frank), Paul Prokopchuk (Gail) and Rosalyn Seguin (Joe). Predeceased by her brother-in-law Harry Symboluk (late Annie) and sister-in-law Mary Pruce (late Steve).

      Phyllis worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Phyllis was blessed with four children , three sons, Micheal, John (Susan) and Kerry (Donna) and one daughter, Marie (Anthony). Another blessing for Phyllis was the gift of six grandchildren, Amy, Asia, Karli, Brad, Matthew and Miranda and Great grand-daughter Elle.

      Fortunately, Phyllis enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic and Phyllis worked diligently. Her primary occupation was a custodian. She was employed by the School Board and Rico's Catering. Phyllis always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Phyllis enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were bowling, and crocheting. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others .Many received her gifts of handmade doilies and aphgans,

      Phyllis found pleasure in sports. Phyllis was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she had the chance to do so. Tops on her list were Blue Jays Baseball and Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey.

      Throughout her life, Phyllis was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. For example Parent teacher association. Throughout her later years, Phyllis was an active member of the Bowling club and The Ukrainian Church.

      Phyllis’s faith was important to her. Phyllis was a long standing and dedicated parishioner and volunteer at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church, to which memorial contributions were given. She was a member of the Ukrainian Church for 40 + years.

      Phyllis enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included going to Florida Annually, the New York trip with Uncle Pete and her girl's trips and cruises.

      Phyllis passed away on December 27, 2018 at In her own home with family at her side. Services were held at The Ukrainian Church. Followed by a sit down meal for all family and friends.

      Simply stated, Phyllis was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Phyllis leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Phyllis Symboluk.

Phyllis's Eulogy by Marie:

Thank you, each and every one of you, for being here.

I can’t even begin to thank Father Jerry for everything he has done. Incredible love and service.

And all friends, volunteers and family for all they gave. It means so much.

It means mom has touched your life somehow and we are so blessed with her grace

As we look at mom, we remember her as fun loving, high spirited energy, whom loved life.

Who encouraged us to Love and Enjoy

She so LOVED being the center of attention just to be sure everyone was having a good time.

She lived a full life everyday either talking on the phone for hours catching up, or making plans or collecting up friends and family to events.

THERE SHE GOES

As a young adult, she travelled to New York with Uncle Pete, then went onto work at a tobacco farm in southern Ontario.

There she met a boyfriend “Buddy “whom wanted to marry her.

Mom said they had a lot of fun together. There personalities were similar, which meant trouble.

She kicked up her heels, dancing, celebrating life, and continued to meet a lot of people.

She remembered meeting a handsome reserved young man “Walter” and heard he was in the hospital. She bought him a couple of magazines and went to visit him.

Meanwhile Buddy came to visit with a ring.

Well we all know who she chose and celebrated 67 years of marriage with, raising 4 children, living through the Great Depression and world war 2

Theirs was a tough generation and knew the value of great friends and family;

Whom Mom had many.

She loved being with people and constantly surrounded herself in conversation

Even strangers she met, she easily made them best friends in that moment.

Her granddaughter once said “Baba could talk to a rock”.

She continued family tradition serving many decades in the church not only as a constant parishioner but also a volunteer making putahah.

Only their generation could pay off a church mortgage with putahah. Special friendships were cemented there.

Another love of mom’s life was her bowling.

Weekly games with the same group of ladies became annual trips with a lot of good times and memories, from New Year’s Eve parties to boat cruises with the girls.

Moms love of cooking, gardening and hard work became evident when she went back to work as a custodian in the school board at the age of 55 thru 65

The Balancing act began.

Working a daily split shift, mom would come home at 10 am, wash and hang laundry outside, and then prepare dinner.

She would then take a cat nap and return to work only to come home wash dishes from dinner, fold clothes off the line and ten the garden.

I remember her tender kisses goodbye as she ran off to work or too dad as she handed him his metal lunchbox filled with his favorites.

Both were very selfless, working hard to put food on the table.

We were all blessed with their longevity.

And throughout her many years, she lived each day to the fullest.

In mom’s words “AMONG ALL OF MY YEARS, I HAVE NO REGRETS”

“YOU LIVE TILL YOU DIE”.

“ENJOY EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY. “

In their retirement years, the long winters were spent in Florida or trips out West.

One of mom’s favorite days was July 1st family reunion as most here know started with her parents renting a camp at Havilland bay.

Until the day Nana and Dido bought a camp in Havilland bay and the tradition continues to this day.

Last year the reunion brought together over 100 descendants of the Procupchuck family.

It’s very easy to sum up who Mom was...simply she was a person who enjoyed life with friends and family... Fun-loving and Adorable

Lastly, all Mom wanted to do was to give love and be loved...as one of my favorite Uncles said, “she was the juice of the family”.

So Mom, know we love you and we are content to know you are once again reunited with Dad and your family and friends.

Take care of each other and thank you everyone here for all you have done.

We love you Mom. It’s nm been an honor.

* * * * * * * * * *

SYMBOLUK, Phyllis - Passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Thursday December 27, 2018 at the age of 92.

Beloved wife of the late Walter for 67 years. Caring mother of Michael, John (Susan), Kerry (Donna), Marie DiGasparro (Anthony). Phyllis will be missed by her grandchildren Karli, Brad, Matthew, Miranda and Amy. Dear sister of the late Mary Wysynski (late John), late John Prokopchuk (late Ellen), late William (Rita), Mildred Mancuso (late Jim), Mac Prokopchuk (Greta), Gloralyn Donnelly (Frank), Paul Prokopchuk (Gail) and Rosalyn Seguin (Joe). Predeceased by her brother-in-law Harry Symboluk (late Annie) and sister-in-law Mary Pruce (late Steve). Phyllis will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who held a special place in her heart. Friends are invited to visit at the St. Mary's Ukrainian Church (293 St. George's Ave. E.) on Monday December 31, 2018 from 11:30 am - 1:00pm. Funeral mass to take place at 1:15 pm with Rev. Jaroslaw Lazoryk officiating. Phyllis was a long standing and dedicated parishioner and volunteer at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church, to which memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank the SAH staff, the Palliative Care community team, Dr. N. Apostle and nurse Cathy for all their care and compassion and especially Dr. Hirvi whom she adored.