SOPHIE "SALLY" SHMYR

1942 - 2026

With Immense love and heavy hearts, we share that our mom, Sally, passed away at home surrounded by her family, in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, at age 83, after a long and hard fought battle with Myelodysplastic Disorder Syndrome (MDS), a rare blood disorder.

Sally was pre-deceased by her husband, Elmer (1994), her parents, Alexander (1973) and Caroline (1979)(nee Furman) Rutkowski, as well as numerous aunts and uncles and her brother/sister in-laws; Steve Shmyr, Mike Shmyr,  Alec (Mildred) Shmyr, Ann (Joe) Ternowski, Walter Sheeshka, and Ted (Estella) Shmyr.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Lexie Shmyr and Michelle (Shaun) Shmyr-Becker and her absolute love and pride, her granddaughters, Kate and Quinn Becker. Along with her extended family, including her sister-in-laws, Rose Sheeshka, Jean Shmyr, and Hilda Shmyr, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Mom was born December 16, 1942 at her parents first homestead in Horod Manitoba. Her parents each immigrated from Poland, her mom Caroline at an early age and her father Alex as a young adult. Her mom and dad moved from the park area of Horod further south to farm the rich Newdale Clay Loam soil in the Strathclair/Elphinstone area. Mom was an only child and as a result was very close to her cousins, spending most Sundays and holidays with the Luhowy girls, Anne(Chorney) and Kaye, the Smorongs Frank and Rose (Kolikowski), and the Furmans, Stanley, Vincent, Lucille(Walker), and Cathy(Nychek).  Mom attended Strathclair School and shared numerous stories about her school years, one in particular was that in the winter their school bus was a horse-driven sleigh, which contained a stove inside to keep the children warm.

As a young woman, mom attended many community dances and social events. On one occasion, mom attended a dance one rainy night. Her date’s vehicle she was in became stuck and her date’s kind best friend  Elmer was there to help get them unstuck. Sally and Elmer would marry on July 11, 1964. Dad came from a large Ukrainian family from Rossburn and mom loved becoming part of a large kinship. Their daughter Lexie was born in 1968, later followed by their daughter Michelle in 1972. Elmer and Sally farmed the Rutkowski farmstead, expanding to include the Luhowy portion and acquired additional land. Mom kept a large garden and variety of animals, in addition to dairy, beef, pork and poultry, she and dad also had as pets, rabbits, cats, the usual working dogs and the one and only Nancy the goat who could be found atop a few visiting vehicles. Mom and dad left farming in the latter 1970s and built a home in Shoal Lake where mom resided until moving to Winnipeg in 2013.

Mom was always a creative soul. Mom demonstrated her artistic ability from a young age, she was always drawing and in her 30s took up oil painting. Mom was also an avid sewer, often altering and creating her own patterns. She next learned to crochet and made dozens of afghans, most of which she donated to raffles and gave as gifts. She also became a crafter and would always have a box on had ready for donation to teas and bake sales. Mom did beautiful embroidery and she also cross stitched many vishyvanka for her girls and others in the community. Mom later reflected that she never did cross stich a vishyvanka for herself.  Mom also had a collection of Pysanky that she ornately decorated using a traditional kistka.

Mom dedicated herself to us and involved us in numerous community activities. This in turn resulted in mom being “volunteered,” sometimes as a surprise to her, to be a part of activities too. Mom never said no. She was a 4-H Leader for over a decade teaching sewing to dozens of girls, and helped organize many 4-H Achievement Day and Teas. Enrolling into catechism, meant mom would also be a teacher of catechism for many years. When Shoal Lake started a Ukrainian Dance troupe, again mom got involved. She sewed and even hosted a sewing bee to make the initial costumes of what turned out to be a very large group of dancers. She was also the artist behind the Shutka dancers signage and decoration for annual concerts. Over the years mom volunteered at many Bridal showers, teas and bake sales and could always be counted on for having her “utility” bag full of scissors, tape, markers and string. She also volunteered for holuptsi and perogy making. Mom preferred to be a worker in the background and did not look for recognition, it was her way to show us dedication and hard work and how to give back to community. More so, mom was proud to witness and celebrate each of our accomplishments.

When we girls were older, mom entered the work force. She most enjoyed her time working at Morley House in Shoal Lake in the laundry and housekeeping department. Mom always had a way of connecting with older adults and her ability to speak Ukrainian with the resident babas and gidos was an advantage.

Mom was an amateur historian and and authority on the vast family tree on both sides of the family. She was also keen on the news and popular culture. Her knowledge occasionally caused a competition between sisters. Which girl would get mom on their Trivial Pursuit team? She also enjoyed drives in the country side to visit old homesteads, rural museums, churches and cemetaries. These drives often involved a pop in to visit a relative or an old friend.

Losing dad tragically and suddenly in 1994 was a very difficult time for mom. Her sister in law Rose was her solace in mourning. Mom also spent more time gardening – specifically, she planted hundreds of gladiolas, chronicled life through journaling, delved into books of history and crafting, and she continued her avid listening to CBC radio and all things news to get her through. If we ever wanted to know what was going on in our world, mom was the person to speak to. Mom also loved animals, especially cats having had a few over the years. One cat, Fluff was an excellent companion to mom when she found herself living alone.

Michelle, married Shaun Becker in 2004 and in Shaun, mom found a kindred spirit. She always expressed her gratitude to Shaun’s parents, Ken and Ronnie for the wonderful son they raised and that she was grateful to have him join our family. Their bond was further strengthened when mom, whose health was failing moved in with Shaun, Michelle and her beloved granddaughters.

Sally’s pride and love were her granddaughters, Kate (2007) and Quinn (2011). Their births inspired mom’s move from Shoal Lake to Winnipeg to be nearer. It was at this time that mom started to face health challenges. A few years later her daughter Lexie would move from Calgary to be closer and support mom with her health and to see Kate and Quinn grow. Kate and Quinn were the light of mom’s life. She loved being a Baba, and it showed, from reading storybooks, to crafting, board games and puzzles and lots of imaginary play, sleepovers and patio picnics. Baba loved every moment, and this included talks over FaceTime and Messenger during the pandemic. The girls would turn on every filter possible and Baba would play along, from appearing as a lumberjack, to a unicorn, a punk rocker to a princess on screen, she spent hours being with them. She adored them and had great love and pride for them both.

Mom enjoyed music, especially folk musicians, Gordon Lightfoot and Anne Murray. She also had a love for Abba and the Bee Gees. Getting to see the former in concert a few times was a great joy. Mom also fell in love with the ballet. Her granddaughters both danced, including ballet on pointe. Even with low vision, mom became a season ticket holder to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in her last few years, sitting front and centre to take in the artistry and athleticism of the dancers. However, her favourite performances were Kate and Quinn’s music and dance recitals. She also enjoyed travel when she could, she and dad went on trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and travelled east to Montreal and many places west to Vancouver. Later mom also vacationed again in Hawaii and Las Vegas, took the train to Vancouver and took a memorable trip to Mexico with sister-in -law Ann. Last summer was a trip to the nation’s capital Ottawa. Mom loved it.

Mom’s final weeks were filled reminiscing of times before, listening to music and her favourite news programs and time with her girls. Mom loved to be in the midst of the chatter and laughter. These times were the best music to her ears.

Panakhyda (prayers) will be held Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00pm (viewing from 6:00-7:00pm) at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, July 24th at 2:00pm, St Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 615 River Street, Shoal Lake, Manitoba.

Honourary Pallbearers: Rose Sheeshka, Lucille Walker, Anne Chorney, Ronnie Becker, Bernice Rybuck,  Larry Sheeshka, Debbie Sheeshka, Emil Kowal, Betty Alleyn, and Elaine Olynyk

Pallbearers: Shaun Becker, Mark Smorong, Monte Bobinski, Dennis Sheeshka, Barry Sheeshka, and Brent Becker.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the amazing health care team at Norwest Co-Op Health Centre, 785 Keewatin Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Website: norwestcoop.ca or the Lions Club of Shoal Lake, https://www.facebook.com/Shoallakelionsclub/

Mom our hearts are broken, but you will remain forever in our memory. We love you always.

Vichnaya Pamyat

Memory Eternal.