Jeanne Ellen Boychuk passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Saturday, April 9, 2022 after a lengthy illness.
Jeanne was born July 21, 1948 at the Yorkton Hospital in Saskatchewan. Growing up on the farm with her parents and brother Elmer, Jeanne spent a lot of time helping with garden work, picking berries for canning, milking cows, collecting eggs, and many other farm chores. Being from a small community, visiting relatives and attending events in the town of Calder were regular activities. As a girl, Jeanne learned to play the accordion and enjoyed this well into her young adult years.
Her early education was completed at Torsk School, a one room schoolhouse with grades 1 to 8, just a mile from the family farm. Following that, she attended high school in Calder, SK. Teaching was her calling, so she went on to the University of Saskatchewan in Regina and completed her Bachelor of Education Degree.
Jeanne’s first job as a teacher was in Swift Current, followed by two years of teaching in Weyburn. After marrying Ron, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Winnipeg School Division for two years, then as a bookkeeper after they moved to Brandon in 1974. Following the birth of Craig and Leana, she chose to remain at home full-time and give them her total attention. As the children got older, she started volunteering at their school and eventually took a job there as an Education Assistant, which she enjoyed for 16 years before finally retiring.
Besides her involvement with the school division, Jeanne was a member of the Women’s League in the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church, where she helped with events and catering. She also volunteered with the Parish Council as a secretary for a number of years. Jeanne was very involved with the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance group while Leana was Ukrainian dancing. She spent a lot of time attending meetings, helping backstage during their concerts, and sewing costumes. She was a talented seamstress, and took pride in sewing her own clothes and accessorizing the family home with custom-made drapes and cushions.
Jeanne enjoyed spending time at home with a large garden and flowers, which made up much of her summertime activity. She liked traveling and camping, and when the family was young Summer Vacation was an anticipated event. Many days were spent at William Lake in their favourite camp site, canoeing and observing the wildlife, fishing, and just having fun at the campfire. Every summer she would take the children to the farm for a week or two. The kids especially liked "the hill", visiting the goats, and playing with the dog and cats.
Getting together with friends and playing cards was a lot of fun for her, although she often criticized Ron for cheating. Cooking was one of her many strong points; she just loved it and spent many hours in the kitchen so the rest of the family could enjoy her creations.
In the years prior to her illness, she developed an interest in bridge and took lessons. One of her favorite things to do was to spend as much time with her grandson David as possible, playing games, reading stories, and going on walks to the park.
Jeanne is survived by her husband Ron, son Craig, daughter Leana and grandson David, and brother Elmer Eftoda. She was predeceased by her parents John and Mary Eftoda.
Funeral Rites were held at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church on April 19, 2022 with Father Mel Slashinsky presiding. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dan Zalucky, Peter Zalucky, Zenon Zalucky, Craig Boychuk, Tom Lehman, and Elmer Eftoda. All who attended are considered honourary pallbearers.
Flowers are gratefully declined; donations in memory of Jeanne may be made to the Western Manitoba Cancer Center c/o BRHC Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2B3