Sophie Victoria Melnychuk

Obituary

Passed on January 19, 2022

October 26, 1934-January 19, 2022     Sophie passed peacefully, in her sleep, at Lions Manor Personal Care Home.

She will be remembered with love by her partner, Norman Macdonald (Norrie), sister-in-law Theresa, niece Barb (Peter), nephews Brad (Sylvie), Ron (Karen) and Doug (Teresa), great nieces and nephews Melissa (Chris), Amie (Paul), Michael (Kathleen), Magdalena (Arik), Stuart (Christina), great-great-nieces Natalie, Maëlle and Rebecca, and great-great-nephews Felix, Dale, Sawyer and Matthew, Norrie’s daughters Kirsty and Fiona and grand-daughter Rachel, as well as many cousins and long-time friends with whom she enjoyed travel, ‘going for coffee’, the symphony, or other outings. Sophie was predeceased by her parents Paul and Annie Melnychuk, her brother Zenon and her sister Ollie, as well as cousins and several friends whom she missed terribly.

Sophie was born and grew up on a small farm near Balmoral, Manitoba, the middle child of three. She attended school in Balmoral, completing Grade 11, then joined her sister in Winnipeg to continue her education.

Sophie was hardworking and eager to learn. She took advantage of every opportunity to take courses and continue her learning throughout her career. This resulted in many employment and advancement opportunities, helping to break through some of those ‘glass ceilings’ experienced by professional women of the time. During her career, Sophie worked for Century Motors, The Citadel, Wawanesa, Investor’s Group and Morguard, to name a few. She was recognized as a Fellow of Life Management Institute in 1980 for specialization in Administrative Management and received an Award of Merit from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada in 1990. Sophie was proud and humbled by her employment accomplishments, given that she didn’t have the opportunity for post-secondary education. She also maintained life-long friendships with many people she met along her career path.

Once she left the world of ‘paid work’, Sophie became an owner and operator of Silver Treads, a uniquely accessible tour company in support of seniors who benefitted from door-to-door transportation. She did extensive research about places of interest in Manitoba and worked with local businesses to provide refreshment and meal stops along the way. Tour days were extremely busy, and with the help of Norrie, specific needs were addressed so that all guests could enjoy their tours. There were many ‘regulars’ on the tours, who became Sophie’s friends.

Sophie also enjoyed travel beyond Manitoba borders. As a single woman, she enjoyed touring with friends to destinations such as the Orient, Europe, Russia and Ukraine. She also travelled with Norrie to Scotland and enjoyed a challenging but memorable trip to Hawaii with Barb.

Volunteerism was an important part of Sophie’s life, with a strong commitment to the Broadway community where she made her home. Over the years, she sang in church choirs, was on the executive of the Winnipeg Ski Club, taught dance lessons at the YMCA, fed the birds in the Broadway neighbourhood, and supported various fund-raisers including the Balmoral United Church walk-a-thon. One of her strongest and proudest commitments was to the Friends of Sherbrook Pool. Sophie and her friend Randy Conway were part of a small group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to keep the pool open for years beyond the time the city intended it to be closed.

Sophie was devoted to her parents in their elder years, and spent much time on weekends, driving to Teulon to spend time with and support them. She continued to maintain her parents’ house in Teulon for many years. Sophie loved working in the garden on the Teulon property, digging weeds by hand and letting ‘volunteer’ vegetables and flowers grow as they pleased. She couldn’t bear to destroy a ‘good plant’. When rabbits or deer ate her vegetables, she patiently acknowledged that “they have to eat too”, even though she valued the healthy vegetables she was able to harvest each fall.

We will miss many things about (Auntie) Sophie. Most immediately, we miss our conversations, her laughter and her love.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

On Sunday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m., a committal of the ashes will be held at the Victoria Cemetery, Road 84N, Balmoral, Manitoba, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life at the Balmoral Hall.

If friends and family so desire, donations in Sophie’s name may be made to Lion’s Manor Personal Care Centre, 320 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2W6 or Goodwin Lodge, Box 89, Teulon, MB R0C 3B0. Our family would like to thank the staff on the 2nd floor of Lion’s Personal Care Centre for their care and compassion during the last few months of Sophie’s life, and for helping her bring laughter to the unit. Finally, thank you to Sue and Ellie for their support of our family. Ken Loehmer Funeral Services, Teulon, in care of arrangements. Condolences may be left at klfuneralservices.ca

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