Vera Ostapovitch quietly passed away at Gateway Lodge in Canora on August 15, 2015 at the age of 97. Vera was born on Jan. 6, 1918 to Fred and Rose Ostapovitch (Kitzul) on the family farm at Theodore, SK where she attended elementary and high school. Vera was a 1939 graduate of the Saskatoon City Hospital School of Nursing. After nursing in various places, Vera came to Yorkton where she had the challenge of setting up the vacated airport hospital as a 50-bed medical unit and continued in charge of nursing at the Auxiliary Hospital until 1953. Vera returned to the University of Saskatchewan to receive a Diploma in Teaching and Supervision in 1955, followed by a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Nursing Administration in 1960 from the University of Minnesota. After 15 years as Director of Nursing at Moose Jaw, her varied and dedicated nursing career ended in 1982 when she retired and returned to Theodore to reside on the family farm where she and her 12 siblings were born. Throughout her life, Vera enjoyed the theatre and travelling to many world destinations. Shortly after retirement, she became involved with the researching, editing and publishing of the Theodore and District History Book. Cooking, gardening, cross-stitching, crossword puzzles and enjoying country living filled her days. After failing health in 2013, Vera became a resident of Aspen Bluffs in Yorkton. Vera was predeceased by her parents; sisters; Mary (John) Potoski, Katherine (Paul) Welgan and Annette, brothers; Jake (Nellie), Matthew, Stephen, Bill (Lorraine), Peter (Gay), Harold, brother-in-law Dan Yacovitch, nephews; Gerald Ostapovitch and Ron (Betty) Welgan and niece Kathy Tufford. Left to celebrate her life are sister Oda Yacovitch of Montreal, brothers Michael and Fred (Diana) of Theodore and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews. At Vera's request, cremation took place with a family graveside service and interment on Tuesday, August, 25, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Theodore United Church. Cremation was entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton, SK.
