Olga Balon

Olga Anne Balon (Szabo) was born in Wakaw on April 22, 1935, and spent her early school years in Weirdale, SK. Her parents, Mike and Elizabeth, had seven children: Andy, Betty, Mike, Olga, Eddie, Helen, and Henry. The Szabo family later moved to Saskatoon and then Yellow Creek, where Olga met her husband, Nick. They were married in 1955 and moved to Saskatoon where Olga worked at Adleman's Store and later as a Hungarian court translator. In they 1960's they completed the family by adding two baby girls: Brenda (Allan Moffatt) and Tracey (Jeff Verishine).

Nick and Olga enjoyed 47 years of marriage. In the later years, they could be found at Robin's Donuts for their nightly ritual with their coffee group until Nick's accident and passing in 2002. The grandchildren, Amy, Jason, Amanda, Alex, and Austin, fondly remember Grandma's sweet tooth and her sweet stashes. They remember being sent home with bags of sugar peeps, popcorn twists, and animal crackers.

Olga was a member of St. Francis Parish for over 40 years and participated in CWL functions, picnics, and weekly Sunday services. In 2005, Olga met Jim at church. He became her companion in concerts, outings, and events for over 20 years. She moved to long-term care in 2020 and made her final move to St. Anne's in 2022. Jim was her daily aide at St. Anne's and helped her as dementia took hold of her life.

Olga loved children and stopped to talk to everyone she met who had a child with them. Her great-grandchildren, Elaina, Logan, Madison, Brooklyn, Henley, and Benson, were proudly displayed in pictures on her wall, and she often talked about the 'little ones.' At a family gathering recently we all listened as she sang 'Happy Birthday' to Henley in a sweet little voice.

Olga was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Mike (1979), Andy (2017), Eddie (2021), and Betty (2023).

Mom lived just about nine decades and will be laid to rest in Woodlawn cemetery at a family graveside memorial in the spring of 2025.

We would like to thank St. Anne's Home for embracing Mom and making her last years filled with dignity and laughter. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Anne's Recreation Department would be greatly appreciated.