Deanna Wozny

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Deanna Wozny, Nov 1, 2016 at the Good Samaritan nursing home at the age of 74. Deanna is survived by her husband, John of 52 years; daughter, Shannon (Lance); son, Colin (Teresa); grandchildren, Brad, Taylor, Matthew, Jessica, Nathaniel, and Isabelle. She is also survived by her sister-in-law’s, Diane, Gloria; brother-in-law, Larry (Barb); as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Deanna was predeceased by her father, Peter; brother, Peter; mother, Pauline; in-laws, Philip and Anne Wozny; brother-in-law, Harry; sister-in-law, Sonia.

Deanna was born on April 10th, 1942 on the family farm in Pine River, Manitoba. Her fraternal grandmother delivered her on her mother’s birthday. She was the second child of Peter and Pauline Bodnarchuk. Her father, Peter went to work for the C.P.R. and the family was transferred to various places in British Columbia. When Peter Jr. started school, they moved to Grand Forks, B.C. During Deanna’s final year in high school, she worked after school and on Saturday’s for a lawyer. After graduation, she went to work for the Phoenix Copper Co. Ltd. and remained there for two and a half years.

While at Phoenix, Deanna was asked by the Manager, Harvey Parliament, to take on the task of recording secretary of meetings for the Project Society which was for the construction of the ice arena in West Grand Forks. She was also asked by the Accountant, Milo McGarry, to take on the task of recording secretary of meetings for the construction of a new hospital in Wet Grand Forks. She also became secretary of the Recreation Commission and was on the Queen Committee of the Grand Forks Fall Fair.

In 1962, she decided to “sprout her wings” and moved to Victoria where she worked in the Parliament Buildings in Health Services, Provincial Secretary, and Social Welfare, Accounting Division.

As luck would have it, Deanna went to a cousin’s wedding in Winnipeg with her parents. There she met the love of her life. John Wozny. It didn’t take John long to come to Victoria and ask Deanna to marry him. She said yes! They were married on Oct 24, 1964 in Grand Forks, B.C. John and Deanna were born 4 months apart and two miles apart and were christened by the same Priest, but met 21 years later.

In 1965, they moved to Edmonton. While in Edmonton, Deanna worked for Financial Collection Agencies as a bookkeeper and at Chemcel as secretary for the Superintendent of the Fibers Department.

Daughter, Shannon, was born on February 1st, 1966 and son, Collin was born on December 21, 1972. In 1971, they had moved to Spruce Grove, just a few kilometers west of Edmonton, and in 1979 they moved to an acreage just south of Spruce Grove where they lived for over 30 years.

In Spruce Grove, Deanna worked as secretary for the Scotia Bank and later went to Parkland School Division, Central Office before transferring to Brookwood Elementary School where she worked for 26 years as the head secretary. She retired the end of June 2007.

While in this area, Deanna was active in Girl Guides of Canada for 17 years. Deanna, always believed she got more out of Girl Guides than she put in to it. She started out as secretary for their Local Association, went on to be Tawny Owl, and then Guide Captain, to District Commissioner and on to Deputy Division Commissioner. She loved every minute of her time spent with Girl Guides.

John and Deanna were both Christened in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Pine River, Manitoba. In 1997, they discovered the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Anthony. Deanna became an active volunteer in her church. She was Vice president of the Carpathian Club for one year, Board Treasurer for one year, and Board Secretary for seven years, and she was secretary of the Ukrainian Women’s Association, St. Anna’s Branch for five years. She was also an avid volunteer for many of the activities associated with her church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deanna’s name to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta & Northwest Territories or the Good Samaritan Society of Stony Plain.

Arrangements under the direction of Hainstock's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Edmonton, AB.