Elsie Michayluk (nee Romanowich) passed away peacefully on Friday, 10 November 2023, at River Heights Lodge, North Battleford, SK. She was born in Rosthern SK. on 22 August 1926 to Wasyl and Anna (Kostiuk) Romanowich.  When she was a young teenager, her parents and older sister Ann moved to Prince Albert, SK. There she completed her public schooling and later attended the ‘Saskatoon Normal School’ in conjunction with summer school classes and correspondence to complete her teaching degree.  Following her marriage to Eugene in 1950, they moved to Davidson, SK. in 1956 and then settled for their remaining working years in Hafford, SK. in 1958.

 

It was in Hafford that Elsie worked tirelessly in numerous ways within the community, celebrating and sharing her passion for music, drama, culture, and her Ukrainian heritage.  Not only was she a regular classroom teacher, but also provided music instruction, taught the Ukrainian Oral Language program to Grade 4-6 students, and was the choir director for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Hafford and the Hafford Ukrainian Youth Choir (CYMK).  Elsie held many memberships and executive positions on various music and heritage related organizations beyond her retirement years from teaching in 1975.  These included a 50-year membership with the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada Hafford Branch, a charter membership with the Hafford Music Festival Association and a founding member of the Hafford & District Annual Carol Festival.  Her many hours of volunteering and leading others to appreciating the arts, preserving their culture, and developing their talents were acknowledged by many, some of which included the Saskatchewan Government Volunteer Recognition Award in 1986 and most recently the Cultural & Development Preservation Award from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan in 2020.  As busy as Elsie was during her working and volunteering years, she was always up for a good curling match (either as a player or a fan) and was often the number one cheerleader for the local high school Hafford Vikings football team and/or the Saskatchewan Roughriders!   Her family and church were very important to her throughout her 97 years of life.  Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, family members, nephews and nieces, co-workers and friends meant a great deal to her.  She will be sorely missed.

 

Elsie was predeceased by her husband Eugene, of 63 years, her parents Wasyl and Anna Romanowich, sister and brother-in-law Ann and Victor Klukewich and their son Tim, her in-laws Simon and Paraska Michayluk and many brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.

 

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and two sons: Darcia (Jim) Tkatchuk, Myron (Rita) Michayluk, Tim (Audrey) Michayluk;  8 grandchildren: Vince (Shannon) Tkatchuk, Terry Tkatchuk, Cheritina Tkatchuk, Amanda (Dale) Bijou, Darryl Michayluk, Leanne Michayluk, Katrina (Matt) Weisensel and Julianna Michayluk; 4 great-grandchildren: Kaitlin (Brayden) Kolotylo, Traye (Haylee) Tkatchuk, Ashton Tkatchuk, and Mila Weisensel; 4 great-great grandchildren: Paisley, Oakley & Jordan Kolotylo and Cash Tkatchuk . The family extends sincerest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Campbell and the staff at the River Heights Nursing Home Lodge.   Those close to Elsie and family can attend a funeral service that will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, 17 November 2023 from Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium Chapel – 1332 100st North Battleford with Very Reverend Mitred Arch Priest Fr. Bohdan Demczuk and Very Reverend Mitred Arch Priest Fr. Taras Makowsky officiating.

 

Interment will take place at the Town of Battleford Cemetery.  Messages of condolence can be sent via digital message boards.  Those wishing to make donations in Elsie’s memory, may do so by donating to:

• River Heights Lodge (Cultural Activities and Performances) – 2001 99 Str., North Battleford, Sk. S9A 0S3
• UCC Sk. (Hromada Legacy Fund for Programming) – #2-604 22^nd West, Saskatoon, Sk. S7M 5W1

• Date : 2023-11-14
• Location : North Battleford, SK