THOMS: Phyllis
May 3, 1922 - January 9, 2014
The death of Mrs. Phyllis (nee Burtney) Thoms of Victoria Park Personal Care Community, Regina, SK, (and formerly of Humboldt, SK), occurred at her residence on Thursday, January 9, 2014. She was 91 years of age. Phyllis was born on May 3, 1922 to Nicholas and Maria (nee Stus) Burtney in Vonda, SK. She attended Casavant School, St. Denis to Grade 10, Grade 11 by correspondence and a commercial course at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Academy in Prud'homme. She also took extra French with the Association Catholique Franco-Canadienne de la Saskatchewan and worked at the post office and RM of Grant #372 at Vonda. On July 15, 1945 she married Anton "Tony" Thoms at the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Church in Vonda. Together, they operated a mixed grain farm, raised Hereford cattle, turkeys, geese and chickens and also had two large fruit and vegetable gardens. They were blessed with five children: Lawrence, Dolores, Leona, Ruth and Daniel. In 1949, they built their own home on the farm constructed by her father and then also had power, telephone, and water installed. They took vacations to British Columbia as well as a bus trip to Reno, Nevada. She was president of the CWL of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bruno, SK, which was located on their land. She loved painting, baking, canning, gardening, sewing (she could take anything and make it), playing kaiser and also sold Avon for 10 years. In 1983, they moved into Humboldt. Phyllis was a very religious lady and believed in the miraculous medals which she faithfully sent to her family every year. Her faith was very important to her as well as was her family; she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by her children: Lawrence (Bev) Thoms and their family: Yvanna Ireland and her children Kristin and Kaiden Ireland, and Shannon Thoms; Dolores Jenkins and her family: Connie Poss and her daughters Kyla and Kirsten Poss, and Brent Mycock and his daughter Emaghea Ryder; son-in-law, Slimane Azoug and his family: Nina and Miriam Azoug-Boneault; Ruth (Doug) Engele and their family: Carla Engele (Vince Maletta) and children Matthew and Mikayla Raddysh, Jae-Lyn and Bella Maletta, Craig Engele, Angela Engele and her son Lynden Engele; and Dan (Debbie) Thoms; four sisters: Julia Godwin, Victoria Burtney, Elizabeth Burtney, and Emily Schewaga; one brother-in-law, Joseph Lucas; and two sisters-in-law: Mary Burtney and Anne Thoms. She was predeceased by her husband, Anton "Tony" Thoms; daughter, Leona Boneault; son-in-law, Rick Jenkins; siblings: Helen Lucas, Bill Burtney, Jean (Bill) Charney, Marcella (John) Middleton, and Pauline (Michael) Smood; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Katie (Peter) Indzeoski, Anastasia (John) Borysko, Alice (Fred) Stadnyk, Mary (John) Hyshka, Nick (Mary) Thoms, John (Mary) Thoms, Fred (Helen) Thoms, Steve (Mary) Thoms, Peter (Angela) Thoms, Mike Thoms , Harry Thoms, Alex Schewaga, Jennie Thoms, and Jack Godwin. The Prayer Service for Phyllis was held at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. presided by Janice Dobmeier and organist Marie Aubin. Scripture readers were Kyla Poss and Mikayla Raddysh and the eulogy was delivered by Lawrence Thoms. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Humboldt, on Friday, January 17, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Gregory Roth. Others taking part were: Lynden Engele, crossbearer; Yvanna Ireland, intentions; Kristen Poss, Kyla Poss and Mikayla Raddysh, giftbearers; Kyla Poss and Mikayla Raddysh, scripture readers; Corinne Braun and Kim Engele, memorial table attendants. Music ministry was provided by the St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Phyllis' life". Active pallbearers were Yvanna Ireland, Connie Poss, Brent Mycock, Nina Azoug-Boneault, Miriam Azoug-Boneault, Carla Engele, Craig Engele and Angela Engele. Interment followed at All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Humboldt. Memorial donations may be directed to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, or the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation Spiritual Care Endowment Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
