Obituary of ELSIE SHYMKO

Elsie Shymko (nee Bayduza)

December 10, 1918 - September 26, 2018

Peacefully with family, Elsie Shymko passed away Wednesday evening, September 26, 2018, at Poseidon Personal Care Home, Winnipeg.  Elsie was born December 10, 1918 in Sifton, Manitoba to parents Tom and Nellie Bayduza (nee Stadnyk).  She was the 10^th of 11 children. She loved growing up in a big farm family.  Elsie met Mike Shymko at a country dance, in the spring of 1943 and married Mike on September 5, 1943. They were blessed with six children, the first three, John, Tom, and Mary were born in 1944, 1945, and 1946. In 1950 Bob was born, followed by David in 1957, and Teresa in 1958.

Mom and Dad lived their Catholic faith and everyone went to Church. Mom loved gardening and having family over for meals together. She was known for her homemade perogies and insisting no one leave hungry. She was a strong woman with a heart of gold and ‘why wait for tomorrow what you can do today’ attitude which she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Family meant everything to our Mom (Baba).  Elsie had many careers: farmer’s wife, storekeeper in Fork River, MB, restaurant worker in Winnipeg, and lastly employed by Motor Coach Industries. In 1977, Mike was diagnosed with cancer. Mike and Elsie both retired to be together.  April 1986 Elsie was widowed. May 1986 her granddaughter, Suzanne was born.  Mom loved all her grandchildren, but living with her granddaughter, Suzanne gave Baba’s life purpose and love and laughter.  She always believed the best in people and enjoyed spending her time volunteering. On September 11, 2018, Baba was proudly at Suzanne’s Bachelor of Nursing Graduation. Mom loved to travel, she was always ready to go and see family. Thank you, John, for all the trips when you drove for Mom and Dad. Mom loved trips to Dauphin, to Ontario, to B.C. Mom made two trips to Greece, where Bob's family now lives.  In October, 2006 Mom picked olives with Bob.  In 2000, Mom proudly travelled to BC to attend her son, Tom's Ordination to the Priesthood. Baba never missed a wedding ceremony; she travelled to all the weddings of her Psihogios grandchildren in Ontario. On September 1, 2018, Baba happily attended church for Michael and Meret’s wedding ceremony. Family meant everything to Mom, there is nothing she wouldn’t do for her friends and family and family's friends, and spent her entire life doing everything she could to show her unconditional love and support. Mom truly loved her family and visiting and all her blessings from God.  Thank you God for our gift of time together.

Elsie was predeceased by her husband Mike Shymko, (April 1986), her son, Father Tom Shymko (May 2018), her twin grandsons Fotis and Jannis Shymko (Sept 1993); her parents Tom and Nellie Bayduza, her 6 brothers and 4 sisters: Bill (Mary), Jim (Elsie), Jack, John, Steve, Michael, Lucy (Mike) Kotz, Mary (Bill) Tisnohuz, Ann (Glen) Cameron, Pearl (Pete) Podruski. Only two remaining Bayduza sisters-in-laws are Alice (John) and Liz (Steve). Elsie is survived by her children John (Ethel), Mary (Jim) Psihogios, Bob (Fotine), David (Faye), Teresa (Kevin) Wiebe. Eight grandchildren Barb (Doby), Deb (Lance), Tom (Alicia), Michael (Kristen), Suzanne (Bobbi), Michael (Meret), Matthew (Clarissa) and Yannis; and twelve great-grandchildren Marko, Alexsandar, Adriana, Sarah, Connor, James, Amariah, Adalyn, Mason, Noah, Sebastian, and Ella.  Numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Thank you to the caring staff at Donwood Manor Independent Living where Mom enjoyed five good years from 2007 -2012. At Donwood Manor we began celebrating every birthday centered around Mom and her favourite foods: chicken and perogies. All of her family and friends would come and celebrate year after year.  This tradition continued as she moved into Poseidon Personal Care Home.

November 2012, Mom had Dementia; we felt we had no choice but to move to Poseidon Personal Care Home, fifth floor. Our heartfelt thanks to all the Poseidon staff for providing our Mom with six years of gentle, loving care and support, and good fresh cooked food. The staff were always so kind to our family, thank you for letting us assist in Mom’s care, and calling us.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford Street. Father Newman will be officiating. Flowers gratefully declined, please hug a senior, visit a senior. Every Life is Precious.