Pearl Balych was born to William (Wasyi) and Polly (Palahna Sorokhan) Maksymchuk on May 15, 1924 at Marlin (12 miles south of Glaslyn). Her parents had immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 1912. Pearl received her elementary and middle years education at Canyon School and completed Grades 11 and 12 at the Battleford Collegiate Institute. She subsequently graduated from the Saskatoon Normal School where she obtained a first class teachers' certificate.
Pearl's spent seven years as a teacher at rural schools near North Battleford. In her memoirs, Pearl recounted how her school years were filled to overflowing with all of the activities found only in a country school. She related that she was responsible for teaching Grades 1 to 11. The enrolments were small but the workload was tremendous. The school was also the centre of recreational diversions for students, their parents and other adults - dances, ball games, hikes, skating on sloughs, Christmas concerts, parties and many more. In addition to classroom teaching duties, rural teachers were expected to do the janitorial work and "extras" like painting and gardening. Pearl developed close friendships with her high school students. She was a born teacher and teaching was her first love.
After Pearl closed out her career as a teacher, she took a course in portrait photography and embarked on a new career. She worked in Spencer's Studio in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and later managed White Rabbit Photos in Victoria, B.C. In 1955, Pearl and her husband, Alex, moved to North Battleford and bought the Roxy Photo Studio. From that point forward, Pearl and Alex were a highly successful couple.
Pearl's shared success with her husband in a number of business ventures was impressive, but her record of community service and volunteerism was truly remarkable. Pearl had a particular interest and talent for organizing and managing public shows and presentations. From 1962 to 1967, she was the key person in the design and construction of parade floats for All Saints Church. She was the commentator for CKBI for six years and CFQC Television's coverage of the North Battleford parade for 12 years. In 1993, Pearl was also the lead person in the construction of the Battleford District Multicultural Exhibition float.
In 1963, Pearl organized an international dance festival featuring 110 dancers representing 20 nations on the occasion of our city's golden jubilee. In 1966, she became a charter member of the Battlefords' Toastmaster Club. In 1971, she organized and staged a homecoming talent show, in which 1000 local and district participants took part, some of whom pursued careers as professional entertainers. From 1962 to 1970, she managed the auditions for CKBI Television's Search for Talent Show and the Tiny Talent and Spotlight on Talent shows. Pearl also volunteered eight years to co-ordinate a Sunday grandstand show for the Battlefords Exhibition Society.
Pearl's involvement with the St. John Ambulance Brigade 295 is especially noteworthy. She joined the nursing and ambulance division on May 11, 1970 and remained an active member until 1989, achieving the rank of sergeant. In 1972, Pearl and Lorne Meckling were selected to pose for the province's promotional brochure, "A Call to Serve." In December 1974, she qualified for a casualty simulation certificate. Finally, From July 21-27, 1984, Pearl served with the medical section at the Fourth Saskatchewan Summer Games in North Battleford.
Along with her husband, Alex, Pearl was heavily involved with the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce. From 1974-1980, she was a receptionist, secretary, tour guide and was responsible for other duties as well. In 1980, Pearl was appointed as interim commissioner (the first woman to hold this post) for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
Pearl had a special interest in our city's older citizens. So, it should be no surprise that she would devote time and energy to help where she could. From January, 1981 to November 1982, she served as recreation director for 140 seniors at the River Heights Lodge.
Pearl's well-deserved awards, medals and recognitions are a testament to her extraordinary work and volunteerism. Early in her life (1939), Pearl was awarded a scholarship to attend the Battlefords Collegiate Institute. She also won public speaking competitions at Glaslyn in 1939, the North Battleford Rotary public speaking medal in 1941 and again in 1942. In 1972, she was selected to take the salute from the RCMP Musical Ride. In 1975, she received the Priory Vote of Thanks from the Order of St. John. Pearl was also awarded the Serving Sister Medal of St. John Ambulance in 1981. Finally, Pearl was greatly honoured as North Battleford's citizen of the year in 1981.
Pearl's many community endeavours reflected her desire to serve and help, but she also possessed an adventurous spirit. For example, in the summer of 1947, Pearl and her sister, Elsie, made the trip to Anchorage, Alaska, and back, in a Model A Ford. Of course, constructing floats, arranging talent shows for grand stand shows and public speaking were also adventures.
Pearl met her husband, Alex Balych, in 1952 on a Saskatchewan Transportation Company bus that was travelling from Meadow Lake to North Battleford. On the same day, Alex told his brother Bud that he had met the beautiful, ambitious young lady he was going to marry. Three years later, on July 21, 1955, Pearl finally said, "I do." Pearl and Alex enjoyed a long and wonderful marriage - a true romance from beginning to end. They were blessed with three children, Lesya (Gordon Cooper), Elaine (Jim Welch) and Maurice.
On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we stand in admiration of a great citizen. Her extraordinary accomplishments, community service, kindness and desire to help others serve as an example for us all. (Source: Lesya and Maurice Balych)
