Julia Wiwchar ("Aunt Julia"), of Canora, passed away peacefully at the Yorkton Nursing Home the morning of Monday, August 25, 2014. Born at the family farm near Gorlitz in 1925, Julia enjoyed a hard-working and busy childhood with her three brothers, Orest, Eugene and Peter and sister Martha. Unusual for women of her generation, Julia went on to become a lifelong career woman. After working at a Toronto munitions factory during the war, she invested her earnings in further education at cosmetology school in Winnipeg. From there she moved onto a long career as operator and manager of the NuFashion beauty parlour and apartment block in downtown Brandon, Manitoba. During that time she also kept in close touch supporting her parents, Kate and Nick Wiwchar who were still on the family farm. A very active volunteer and business leader, she was greatly celebrated upon her retirement after over 40 years in the Brandon community. She then moved back to the farm where she continued a busy life helping to finish the new ranch house and caring for the home quarter yard and garden. She and her sister, Martha enjoyed a very close relationship and spent many happy hours with a multitude of projects on the farm. She also volunteered for many years with the Canora Tourist Booth and often recounted stories of community adventures. A particular highlight which she enjoyed sharing was the honour of being among the local ladies asked to assist with hospitality for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Canora. Friends and neighbours are well aware of her passionate support for the preservation of local heritage sites. With her guidance and energy (and unparalleled ability to ensure her brothers' participation!), funds and other necessary resources were raised to create a cairn marking the old Ukraina School, which includes a full map and list all the children and teachers who attended and taught there over the years. Her favourite project was the preservation and maintenance of the local St. Mary's churchyard. She could often be found mowing the grounds and was responsible for the marker that was erected after the church was taken down. She touched the lives of so many, it is impossible to list them all here...at the risk overlooking anyone...as they were all equally important to her. She was "Aunt Julia" to a multitude of (great)nieces, nephews, Godchildren and friends. She had stories about everyone which made each one know they were special. From gifting 'grade four watches" to hosting family at her exciting 'downtown' apartment and putting them to work at the beauty parlour, to taking trips with friends and planning community events, Aunt Julia made lasting memories for those who had the pleasure of knowing her. She is predeceased by her parents, Nick and Kate, her sister, Martha (and brother-in-law Bob) and her brother, Orest. At her request, and in her own understated way, there will be no service. There will be a private interment at a later date. The family thanks everyone for their well wishes and joins you in cherished memories of a remarkable woman. Friends so wishing may make donations in Julia's name to the Alzheimer's Association or to Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer as tokens of remembrance. 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.
