Janina Elysa Ewart

It is with deep sadness the family announces the passing of Janina on December 14, 2024 at the age of 74. Janina is survived by her husband, Don Ewart; Brother Paul (Rita) Kobiela; nieces Kayla (Dylan) Shivak and Jenna Kobiela. Nephew James (Lisa) Cardinal & their boys, Nicholas and Jacob. Sister in laws Robine (Paul) Cardinal Eaves; Debbie Golfetto and families. As well as her very good friends Tad and Elaine Cherkewich; Daryl and Colleen Brown. Janina was predeceased by her parents Andrzej Kobiela and Janet Kobiela

Janina was born in Arbroath Scotland August 19, 1950. In 1954 her family immigrated to Canada and ended up in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. At a young age, Janina was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and in her 11th year of school her family moved to Saskatoon where there were more advanced treatment options. While RA is a life altering diagnosis, Janina never let it define her.

Janina earned a Bachelor of Arts Advanced degree with majors in English and Psychology, as well as a Professional ‘A’ Teaching Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. Janina went on to work with the National Parole Board for 32 years in capacities that required law and policy expertise, case analysis, communications including media relations, training and mentoring, and victim assistance. Her knowledge and communications expertise were well acknowledged as she was regularly invited to provide informational sessions to university students at the third-year level as well as to various community organizations. When Janina retired in 2008 from the Parole Board, she began working for Advanced Labor Solutions as a consultant and provided mentoring for managers, leadership workshops, a mystery shopper program and keynote speaker addresses.

Janina met Don in September of 1979 and the adventures really began. They were married on February 14, 1987.

In her younger years, against her doctor’s recommendation, she rode on the back of Don’s motorcycle and toured Canada with him.

She loved travelling, whether it was a yearly trip to Florida, a cruise, a cross-country drive with Don in their truck and camper or to Edmonton for a dinner theatre and shopping. She especially loved cruises and one of her favorite past times was to sing karaoke while on the cruise in the lounge at night. She would say it didn’t matter if she wasn’t good because she’d never see those people again; but Don would say she was very good.

In the later years Janina enjoyed staying closer to home and camping at Waskesiu; where her and Don spent many weeks every summer just enjoying sitting by a fire, wandering the townsite and spending time together.

Janina never allowed her physical disability to stop her from doing the things she wanted to do. Anyone who knew her was astounded by the things she did, especially when they found out that she loved to go trail riding on her Yamaha Rhino. If you don’t know what that is, Janina described it as a golf cart on steroids. Janina and Don would ride thousands of miles of trails and spent many days opening up quad trails in the Nisbet Forest and in the mountains in British Columbia.

To know Janina was to know positivity. Despite having chronic pain, she rarely complained about anything. Her smile was infectious and her laugh the same. She enjoyed reading, watching television/sports, peanut butter cup ice cream, the Royal family, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved everyone around her and those close to her knew she was the most genuine person. She will be deeply missed.

Celebration of Janina’s Life to be held Friday February 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre 915 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon.

Arrangements entrusted to Ryan Lensen