It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Elizabeth Boyda, 91, who passed away at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002.
She was born Elizabeth Kachurowski on June 25, 1911 in Stuartburn, Man., and moved from the family farm in 1927 to work at the C.N.R. restaurant in Rainy River.
In 1929, she went to work for Mrs. Beerman in Mine Centre, where she met William Boyda. They married in 1933, and after living in Banning and Flanders, they settled in Fort Frances in 1954.
Elizabeth worked at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances from 1959 until her retirement.
A remarkable woman, Elizabeth was a mid-wife and delivered two of her own children. She also delivered a baby on a train to Sioux Lookout. In 1951, while living in Banning, she saved the lives of the men involved in a train accident and received a letter of commendation from the Canadian National Railway.
Always in the garden, she found being productive very rewarding and satisfying. Knitting and crocheting for her family was her favourite pastime.
She will be fondly remembered as the lady on the radio wishing her family and many friends happy birthday or anniversary, and became a good friend to Paul Bradley. She will be missed by her special friend, Donna Law.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, Bill in 1982; sisters, Annie, Nellie, and Mary; brothers, Pete and John; and infant great-grandson, Christopher.
She is survived by her sister, Rachel Grail of Windsor, Ont.; son, Frank and wife, Elsie, of Atikokan, Ont.; daughter, Marion and husband, Jim Gladu, and daughter, Bernice and husband, David Armit, of Fort Frances, Ont.; and son, Jack and friend, Dorrit Klarke, of Surrey, B.C.
She leaves her grandchildren, Glen and wife, Kathy Boyda, Valerie and husband, Brian Pikov, Janice and husband, Danny Ziehl, Lana and husband, Reid Sherwood, Mike and wife, Lori Gladu, Donna and husband, Don Bone, Pamela Gladu, Charles Armit, Debbie and husband, Derek Lawres, Lisa and husband, Todd Plourde, Bradley Sweet, and Christina Klarke.
Elizabeth was the very proud great-grandmother of 12 beautiful great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Mary and husband, Alex Socholotuk, Celia Boyda, and Irene Shannon.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002 at 9 a.m. at Green Funeral Home, with Fr. Rey Ronquillo officiating. The Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 Ladies Auxiliary will perform their tribute following the service.
Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends may visit Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Elizabeth chose as her pallbearers Glen Boyda, Charles Armit, Mike Gladu, Don Bone, Rick Socholotuk, Bradley Sweet, Derek Lawres, and Todd Plourde.
Her honourary pallbearers are Donna Bone, Debbie Lawres, Pam Gladu, Lori Gladu, Lisa Plourde, Valerie Pikov, Janice Ziehl, Lana Sherwood, and Julie Boyda.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Box 444, Fort Frances Ont., P9A 3M8.
“I’m Free”
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me
I took His hand, when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
then fill it with remembered joy,
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow,
My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Life up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Author Unknown
