Obituary of SYLVIA (SAVELA) HEYKO

SYLVIA (SAVELA) HEYKO Sylvia was born in Saskatoon, SK on August 30, 1929. She passed away peacefully, on May 16, 2020 with her loving daughter Judy at her side. Sylvia is survived by her children, Cathy (Dieter), Dean (Christine), Karen, Judy, and Darlene (Jason); her grand-children Sonya, Tara (Matt), Brian (Jen), Derek (Kendra), and Kristen (Jayson); her great-grand-children Summer and Josh; and her sisters, Adela Pollock (Carmel, IN) and Helen Heyko (St. Catharines, ON). She was predeceased by her parents Ivan and Katherine Heyko (nee Topoloski). Her sisters remember how important Sylvia was in guiding their upbringing. In her youth, Sylvia sang in the Ukrainian church choir and learned to play the violin. She played first violin for symphonies, chamber groups, and numerous orchestras. As a young adult, she moved to St Catharines and joined the symphony where she met her future husband, Joe, and they began a family. When Joe joined the Royal Air Force, the family was posted to France and Portage La Prairie (where they established the Portage Little Symphony), before building and settling in their family home in Winnipeg. Sylvia resumed her secretarial career just when the office computer revolution began and was quite pleased with herself when she self-studied to use Microsoft DOS. She was gifted with tremendous artistic talents as a musician, seamstress, and gardener. Sylvia was an inspiration and taught her children to read, play, and appreciate music. She loved to design and sew outfits and clothes for her and her children, who affectionately remember the hand-stitched Ukrainian dance costumes. She was quite delighted to design and sew her own wedding gown and bridal party dresses. She dearly loved, and was most proud of her children, grand-children, and great-grand-children. Sylvia will be lovingly missed by all. One of Sylvia's favorite quotes was; "Knowing thyself is the beginning of all wisdom." To the staff at Middlechurch Personal Care home; we thank you for the exceptional care provided to Sylvia. A small service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation of Canada. Sylvia’s radiant smile is now lighting up heaven and shining upon her great grandchildren, grandchildren, daughters, son, and younger sisters. While the songbirds sing, she gracefully dances in a garden full of plants and flowers, while listening to really loud violin concert music!