Sophia Winnicki (nee: Otchenash) was born in Skolin, Poland on December 2, 1925 the daughter of Zachary and Ksenia Otchenash. She arrived in Canada four and a half years later with her mother and three brothers to be reunited with their father on their farm in the Beckingham district, between Ituna and Foam Lake. She went to school in a one-room country schoolhouse at Runnymede, then Chiselhurst. Sophia enjoyed school until age fifteen, at which time she stayed at home to help on the family farm with her two sisters and five brothers. She was married to her late husband Julian Winnicki in 1948 and they began to farm in Parkerview. She was a strong supporter of the local church, for 25 years she sang in the choir and served several terms as Vice-President of the Ladies League. She is survived by her six children Henry (Elizabeth), Henrietta (Larry), Gerald (Nancy), Geraldine (Bill), Gregory (Kimberly) and Grace (David), nineteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Sophia had a great love for her family and was always interested in their lives. In 1975, Sophia and her husband moved to Yorkton after they retired from their farm. There she spent many years passing down family traditions to her grandchildren, especially Ukrainian cooking. She was always laughing, ensuring that the many family and friends they entertained always felt welcome. Sophia will be remembered as a kind, loving and nurturing mother and grandmother. Some of her fondest memories are of the family cabin on Burgis Beach at Good Spirit Lake, where her children and grandchildren surrounded her. After her husband passed away, she moved to Queen Elizabeth Court in Yorkton, living there happily for eight years. She made many faithful and caring friends there and eagerly participated in all of the activities and events. Sophia went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the age of 89. She lived a full and happy life. Her children and grandchildren will remember her as a very giving and caring mother and Baba who showered all of them with unconditional love. Sophia always put her family and friends before herself. She will be missed and leaves us with many cherished memories. The Prayer Service was held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK and with Father Raymond Lukie, C.Ss.R. officiating. The Requiem Divine Liturgy was sung on Friday, May 8, 2015 from St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton, SK with Father Raymond Lukie, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The cantor, Mr. Ed Pindus and members of the Yorkton Ukrainian Catholic Choir assisted with the singing of both services. The Cross bearer was Donna Goring and the Epistle Reader was Dr. Sharon Winnicki. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of St. Luke with Jeremiah Bryksa, Jered Bryksa, Derek Winnicki, Izak Winnicki, Bohdan Winnicki and Stephen Moses serving as the casket bearers. The honourary pall bearers were Amanda Howard, Lia Golemba, Dr. Sharon Winnicki and Jayson Winnicki. Sophia's family would like to thank the many medical professionals in Calgary and Yorkton for the compassionate care they provided. The family also wish to sincerely thank their friends and extended family members for sharing in their sorrow. Your thoughtfulness, prayers and kindness expressed to them was greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary's Church building fund or Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (Attn. Dr. Slawnych, The University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, Fund Development, Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary AB T2N 4N1). Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
