ANN HAWRYLAK

On Mother’s Day, May 9, 1999, God called Ann Hawrylak home to his garden. She was born Jan. 5, 1912 in Candiac, Sask. to the late Metro and Mary (Gilewicz) Sharber.
Ann completed her education in Saskatchewan, including Normal School to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught in rural and urban schools in Saskatchewan for 12 years from 1931 to 1943.
She had as many as 45 children in her one-room schools, in all grades from beginners to grade 10. Students in grade nine and 10 took correspondence courses, which she had to supervise and check, often on Saturdays.
She later taught in Sioux Lookout, Ont. at the Sacred Heart School, for 10 years, retiring in June, 1971.
She was a positive influence on many lives.
Ann enjoyed teaching, handiwork, reading, gardening with a special interest in indoor and outdoor flowers, and card playing after her retirement.
Ann was quite active in a number of organizations. In Sioux Lookout, she served as president of the Sacred Heart Catholic Women’s League, and received special honours at their 40th anniversary.
In Fort Frances, she continued to be a CWL member and represented them on Parish Council. Ann also was past president of the Fort Frances Horticultural Society, winning the Flower Show trophy 10 times in a row.
Ann was president of the Happy Time Club and a board member of the Sister Kennedy Centre. As well, she held memberships in the Bluebird Arthritis Society, the Save Our Station working group, the Saskatchewan Retired Teachers and Ontario Retired Teachers organizations, the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary, Riverside Health Care Facility, and the Legal Aid Society.
Ann was an active member of Sacred Heart parish in Sioux Lookout, Saint Basil’s Ukrainian parish in Regina, and Saint Mary’s parish in Fort Frances.
In 1943, she married Kasemer Hawrylak at Saint Vladimir and Olga’s Church in Winnipeg, Man. During their 44 years together, they lived in Niddrie, Ont., Sioux Lookout, Ont., Regina, Sask., and Fort Frances.
They both gave generously and tirelessly of themselves. Their gifts benefited many charities, good works, as well as family in the Old Country.
Her parents, Metro and Mary; brothers, Mike, Peter, Ted, and Jack; and her husband, Kas, predeceased her.
To live by Ann’s example and love, Ann leaves her son, Myron and his children, Ken, Andrea (and special friend, Mark Wilkins), Annelise, and Kasey (her “little Kas”); great-granddaughter, Jacelyn; along with Annelise’s and Kasey’s mother, Sue Flemming, and Jacelyn’s mother, Karen Hawrylak.
Ann’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were, with Myron, the lights in her life. To Ann, family, friends, and her constant and never-faltering faith in God were her strengths.
She also is lovingly remembered by nephews, Alex (Anne) and Joe (Ann) Czubaty and his family. There also are numerous relatives scattered around Canada and the Old Country who have been touched by Ann’s life.
The CWL will lead prayers at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at Green Funeral Home during visitation from 7 until 9 p.m.
Father Ed Kosa, O.M.I., will preside over the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 1999, with reception to follow at the Sister Kennedy Centre.
Pallbearers will be Bill Adair, Dave Montgomery, Alex Czubaty, Joe Czubaty Jr., Joe Gervais, and Nick Wihnan.
Honourary pallbearers will be all of Ann’s relatives and friends.
The committal service will be held at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina, Sask. on Thursday, May 20, 1999 at 11 a.m. Monsignor R. Luzney, Prelate of Honour, will lay Ann to rest beside her loving husband, Kas.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations will be gratefully accepted for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Sister Kennedy Centre, Fort Frances, all in care of Green Funeral Home, 600 Reid Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M89.
When I pass on,
I want no grief, my dears,
No sadness in the hearts of those I’ve loved;
I would but feel that in this world of tears
I’ve helped to dry a few throughout the years.
• • •
I would rather have a little rose,
From the garden of a friend,
Than to have the choicest flowers
When my stay on earth must end.
I would rather have a pleasant word
In kindness said to me.
Than flattery when my heart is still
And this life has ceased to be.
I would rather have a loving smile
From friends I know are true
Than tears around my casket
When this world I bid adieu.
Bring me all the flowers today,
Whether pink or blue or red.
I’d rather have one blossom now
Than a truckload when I’m dead.