Obituary for Debra Lynne Silvius (Serwonka)
With heavy hearts, the family regrets to announce the passing of Debra Lynne Silvius (née Serwonka) on March 27, 2023 at the age of 67.
Deb was born in Brandon Manitoba on August 6th, 1955 to Elizabeth (née Ede from Levine, MB) and Stanley Serwonka (né Czerwonka, from Hayfield, MB). The second of five children and first daughter, Deb was very close with her siblings John, Pat, Dianne and Karen. Deb was raised in Brandon, where she remained throughout her life, apart from the odd vacation or travel ~ including to Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Thompson ~ to visit or as one of the endless ways she caringly supported family.
Always a bright and inquisitive person, Deb sailed through Alexandra, McLaren and Harrison schools. A childhood bout of rheumatic fever resulted in a lifelong strain on her heart, which she did not allow to deter from her love of learning nor the living of her life. Her love of reading since childhood took place often well into the night with the aide of a flashlight. Deb’s night-hawkish tendencies were reinforced by her first job on the nightshift at Brandon General Hospital.
Deb devoted the first half of her adult life to loving and raising her children, Terri and Ray, while as a single parent, working with the Manitoba Telephone System (MTS). As a Mom, Deb’s influence on her children is a continued legacy. She prioritized learning and education by saving for post-secondary education, which both Terri and Ray took part in. Terri is grateful for the years her Mom took time to help her learn to speak despite having a severe profound hearing loss, and sharing her love of animals, word games and ice cream. Ray is grateful to his Mom for sharing her love of education and mathematics, her unconditional support in all things, and for letting him watch Saturday Night Live at too young an age. Both Terri and Ray gained Deb's love of reading, a quirky sense of humour, and the ability to be hard-working yet enjoying life's gifts.
While raising her children, mostly as a single parent, Deb worked with the Manitoba Telephone System (MTS), first as an operator and then in the Engineering Planning Department. While developing plans for laying cable in communities across the province, Deb developed an incredible knowledge of geography and knew the location of most towns throughout Manitoba.
When MTS began to privatize in the late 1990s Deb availed of a “buy-out” offer and took an “early retirement” opportunity in order to remain in Brandon. She took some time to catch her breath and spend a bit of R&R time with her beloved Scottie doggie, whose care, pampering and love by Deb made up for his rough start in life as a rescue dog, adopted by Deb from a shelter. Scottie, in turn provided Deb with much comfort and joy and a great way to get fresh air and chat with neighbours on their frequent walks.
Deb resumed work in a post-unionized post-career labour market, working in several jobs, including federal and provincial elections, CMHC housing surveys, the Brandon RHA and the Canadian Cancer Society; and most recently as parking security at Brandon University with Paladin, until she was medically unable to do so.
Deb was intelligent far beyond her formal education. She had enjoyed taking courses such as book-keeping at ACC, American Sign Language, anthropology at BU and professional developments (such as AC/DC) while at MTS. Each year Deb familiarized herself with the ever-changing rules of Revenue Canada to tackle several family members’ income tax returns for us. Even a potentially life-threatening brain bleed in the early 2000s only temporarily thwarted her endeavours, but she persisted resiliently.
A self-proclaimed homebody, Deb enjoyed reading, watching TV, doing word puzzles, Sudoku, and research on various topics of interest. She was an avid note-taker, and often would be seen with a pen and notebook in hand. Deb took great interest in the upcoming generation, helping in their care and encouraging their pursuing their interests and opportunities in life. She supported other family members, older and younger as, for example, health care needs emerged. With an ever-open door to her home, Deb picked up the torch to host family gatherings as the earlier generation was passing and a new generation unfolding. Though not keen to be the centre of attention, and while reckoning with her cancer diagnosis, Deb enjoyed visiting with everyone who came out to celebrate her birthday last August in her backyard, organized by her daughter Terri. Spending time with her loved ones was Deb’s favourite pastime.
Deb was pre-deceased by her grandparents Jan/John Czerwonka, Thecla Czerwonka (née Pytcha), William Levi Ede and Margaret Ede (née Sutherland); parents, Elizabeth and Stanley, granddaughter Tyla and son-in-law Bryan Antoniw; in-laws Merritt Silvius and Audrey Silvius (née Honeyman); several aunties, uncles and cousins with whom she was close; and her beloved dogs Benji and Scottie.
Deb‘s presence in, contributions to and influence in our lives will be greatly missed by her children, Terri Antoniw and Ray Silvius; daughter-in-law Jill Bucklaschuk and grandson Henry; siblings John Serwonka, Pat Serwonka, Dianne Kisser, and Karen Serwonka; nephews Colin Kisser (Roberta), Mark Kisser (Ayla), and Chris Serwonka (Angela & their kids) and niece Sahar Serwonka; along with extended family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Special thanks to John, Dianne and Ray for providing care and support to Deb within the family from the early stages of her dealing with cancer at home and her interactions with the healthcare system; and to Terri for leading the organizing of her 67th birthday celebration and her house and earthly possessions.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rideau Park personal care home for their extraordinary care of Deb in her last year of life, in particular the compassionate team of front-line bed-side staff; as well as Charge Nurse Nicole Beaudoin, Social Worker Kerri Chomenchuk, and Drs. Gokulan Sivananthan, Susan Green, Erika Moller and Joyce Thames. We appreciate your tireless dedication to ensuring Debra’s final weeks and days were of as much comfort as possible, and for supporting our family. Nurse Nicole Gray and sister Karen were with Deb at the time of her passing.
Thanks to Memories Chapel for assisting with funeral arrangements. Cremation has taken place and a private interment ceremony with immediate family will take place at the end of April.
Those wishing to pay their respects will be welcome to do so at a celebration of Life for Deb, which will take place in Brandon on Sunday, May 28, 2023, beginning at 2 PM, at The Backyard on Aberdeen (Aberdeen Avenue & 13th Street).
In honour of Deb, a bursary will be established through Brandon University to support the educational pursuits of students who experience systemic barriers due to income, disability, and/or colonization. Gifts in memory of Deb may be directed to BU Foundation: by mail to 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9; on-line at https://www.brandonu.ca/give/donate/ or by phone at 204-727-7374.
Deb was born in Brandon Manitoba on August 6th, 1955 to Elizabeth (née Ede from Levine, MB) and Stanley Serwonka (né Czerwonka, from Hayfield, MB). The second of five children and first daughter, Deb was very close with her siblings John, Pat, Dianne and Karen. Deb was raised in Brandon, where she remained throughout her life, apart from the odd vacation or travel ~ including to Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Thompson ~ to visit or as one of the endless ways she caringly supported family.
Always a bright and inquisitive person, Deb sailed through Alexandra, McLaren and Harrison schools. A childhood bout of rheumatic fever resulted in a lifelong strain on her heart, which she did not allow to deter from her love of learning nor the living of her life. Her love of reading since childhood took place often well into the night with the aide of a flashlight. Deb’s night-hawkish tendencies were reinforced by her first job on the nightshift at Brandon General Hospital.
Deb devoted the first half of her adult life to loving and raising her children, Terri and Ray, while as a single parent, working with the Manitoba Telephone System (MTS). As a Mom, Deb’s influence on her children is a continued legacy. She prioritized learning and education by saving for post-secondary education, which both Terri and Ray took part in. Terri is grateful for the years her Mom took time to help her learn to speak despite having a severe profound hearing loss, and sharing her love of animals, word games and ice cream. Ray is grateful to his Mom for sharing her love of education and mathematics, her unconditional support in all things, and for letting him watch Saturday Night Live at too young an age. Both Terri and Ray gained Deb's love of reading, a quirky sense of humour, and the ability to be hard-working yet enjoying life's gifts.
While raising her children, mostly as a single parent, Deb worked with the Manitoba Telephone System (MTS), first as an operator and then in the Engineering Planning Department. While developing plans for laying cable in communities across the province, Deb developed an incredible knowledge of geography and knew the location of most towns throughout Manitoba.
When MTS began to privatize in the late 1990s Deb availed of a “buy-out” offer and took an “early retirement” opportunity in order to remain in Brandon. She took some time to catch her breath and spend a bit of R&R time with her beloved Scottie doggie, whose care, pampering and love by Deb made up for his rough start in life as a rescue dog, adopted by Deb from a shelter. Scottie, in turn provided Deb with much comfort and joy and a great way to get fresh air and chat with neighbours on their frequent walks.
Deb resumed work in a post-unionized post-career labour market, working in several jobs, including federal and provincial elections, CMHC housing surveys, the Brandon RHA and the Canadian Cancer Society; and most recently as parking security at Brandon University with Paladin, until she was medically unable to do so.
Deb was intelligent far beyond her formal education. She had enjoyed taking courses such as book-keeping at ACC, American Sign Language, anthropology at BU and professional developments (such as AC/DC) while at MTS. Each year Deb familiarized herself with the ever-changing rules of Revenue Canada to tackle several family members’ income tax returns for us. Even a potentially life-threatening brain bleed in the early 2000s only temporarily thwarted her endeavours, but she persisted resiliently.
A self-proclaimed homebody, Deb enjoyed reading, watching TV, doing word puzzles, Sudoku, and research on various topics of interest. She was an avid note-taker, and often would be seen with a pen and notebook in hand. Deb took great interest in the upcoming generation, helping in their care and encouraging their pursuing their interests and opportunities in life. She supported other family members, older and younger as, for example, health care needs emerged. With an ever-open door to her home, Deb picked up the torch to host family gatherings as the earlier generation was passing and a new generation unfolding. Though not keen to be the centre of attention, and while reckoning with her cancer diagnosis, Deb enjoyed visiting with everyone who came out to celebrate her birthday last August in her backyard, organized by her daughter Terri. Spending time with her loved ones was Deb’s favourite pastime.
Deb was pre-deceased by her grandparents Jan/John Czerwonka, Thecla Czerwonka (née Pytcha), William Levi Ede and Margaret Ede (née Sutherland); parents, Elizabeth and Stanley, granddaughter Tyla and son-in-law Bryan Antoniw; in-laws Merritt Silvius and Audrey Silvius (née Honeyman); several aunties, uncles and cousins with whom she was close; and her beloved dogs Benji and Scottie.
Deb‘s presence in, contributions to and influence in our lives will be greatly missed by her children, Terri Antoniw and Ray Silvius; daughter-in-law Jill Bucklaschuk and grandson Henry; siblings John Serwonka, Pat Serwonka, Dianne Kisser, and Karen Serwonka; nephews Colin Kisser (Roberta), Mark Kisser (Ayla), and Chris Serwonka (Angela & their kids) and niece Sahar Serwonka; along with extended family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Special thanks to John, Dianne and Ray for providing care and support to Deb within the family from the early stages of her dealing with cancer at home and her interactions with the healthcare system; and to Terri for leading the organizing of her 67th birthday celebration and her house and earthly possessions.
The family would like to thank the staff at Rideau Park personal care home for their extraordinary care of Deb in her last year of life, in particular the compassionate team of front-line bed-side staff; as well as Charge Nurse Nicole Beaudoin, Social Worker Kerri Chomenchuk, and Drs. Gokulan Sivananthan, Susan Green, Erika Moller and Joyce Thames. We appreciate your tireless dedication to ensuring Debra’s final weeks and days were of as much comfort as possible, and for supporting our family. Nurse Nicole Gray and sister Karen were with Deb at the time of her passing.
Thanks to Memories Chapel for assisting with funeral arrangements. Cremation has taken place and a private interment ceremony with immediate family will take place at the end of April.
Those wishing to pay their respects will be welcome to do so at a celebration of Life for Deb, which will take place in Brandon on Sunday, May 28, 2023, beginning at 2 PM, at The Backyard on Aberdeen (Aberdeen Avenue & 13th Street).
In honour of Deb, a bursary will be established through Brandon University to support the educational pursuits of students who experience systemic barriers due to income, disability, and/or colonization. Gifts in memory of Deb may be directed to BU Foundation: by mail to 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9; on-line at https://www.brandonu.ca/give/donate/ or by phone at 204-727-7374.