Mrs. Katrina "Kay" Ostapovich (nee Zelizney), age 87 years of Foam Lake died peacefully at her daughter's home in Humboldt surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born on May 3, 1924 in the Winthorpe district, south of Foam Lake to Theodore and Effie (nee Ostapowich) Zelizney. She grew up there and attended Hazel School completing Grade 4. She would have loved to have continued on in school but instead she had to stay at home and help on the farm. On January 19, 1958, Kay married Steve W. Ostapovich in Wynyard. They made their home on the farm, four miles north of West Bend. Kay loved every aspect of living and working on the farm, especially spring time when there would be new baby chicks and baby calves. She loved working in the garden and was always generous with her produce, sharing it with others whenever she could. She also loved her flower gardens and tended to them lovingly, always hoping to attract the humming birds. Kay loved children and although only one of her four pregnancies bore her a child, her daughter Gloria, she befriended many others and was like a mother to them. Following Steve's death in May 1994, Kay moved in to the town of Foam Lake in August of that year. She adjusted well to town life and enjoyed her coffee times with her friends, playing cards and visiting. She was a true people person and was always most happy when surrounded by others. She had an easy going personality and easily made friends wherever she went, leaving a footprint in the hearts of all she knew. She enjoyed visiting with the residents at the Wander Inn and the Jubilee Nursing Home, making their day with her smile and positive attitude. Kay was an excellent cook, with family members each having their favourites - perogies, raspberry jam, jam jam's, to name a few. Her great grandson, Hudson, by age 3 could tell if he was eating "Great Baba's perogies". Kay was fortunate to have had a chance to travel with friends to many destinations in Saskatchewan and with her family to Alberta, BC, Minnesota and Florida on many occasions, enjoying these trips by car, bus and plane. Kay loved to laugh, have a good time, dance and live on the edge, just a little. Perhaps this is where her grandsons get their competitive and daring nature from. Above all, Kay loved her family, there wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for them and she was so proud of all of their accomplishments. She always encouraged them in their ventures, never questioned or judged them and always was supportive. She adored her "favourite" and only son-in-law, Bernie and was always grateful for all that he and Gloria did for her especially in the last two months while she was ill. Kay's three grandsons, all married loving, caring women, whom she loved deeply and spending time with the three of them brought her great joy, especially their "spa days" when they would give her manicures, pedicures, and do her hair and make up, those days were such fun for her. Having three grandsons, and then four great grandsons, Kay's goal was to live long enough to see a great granddaughter born and on June 23, 2010 her wish was fulfilled when Sage Kathryn entered the world. She was so happy to have been fortunate to travel to spend time with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren on a regular basis, making many memories for all of them and they were so good to phone her regularly and keep in touch with her. Kay may not have had material or monetary riches but her strong family values, morals and work ethic are the treasures that she has passed on to her family. When Kay became ill, she came to Humboldt to stay with her daughter, Gloria, who cared for her in her home. This was the greatest gift, being able to share the last days of her life, surrounded by her loving family and many friends and she was ever grateful for the many phone calls and visits that she received in that time. On May 3, she celebrated her 87th birthday with a house full of family and friends, enjoying the day and all of the friendships that she had made over the years. And so in Kay's own words - "Have a nice day".Kay will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Bernie Malinoski of Humboldt; her three grandsons, their wives and her five great grandchildren: Randy (Tanya) Malinoski and sons, Hudson and Grayson of Saskatoon, Robert (Amber) Malinoski and children, Ryder and Sage of Minniapolis, MN and Russell (Lindsy) Malinoski and son, Marek of Clermont, FL; her chosen daughter, Cathy Sereda and family of Calgary; her sister, Jean Dvernichuk of Foam Lake; sister-in-law, Kay (Ed) Bandura of Pelly and nieces, nephews and many good friends. Kay was predeceased by her parents, Theodore and Effie Zelizney; husband, Steve Ostapovich; sister, Mary (Wasyl) Korpatnisky; brothers, John Zelizney and Alex Zelizney; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Annie (Nick) Grezuik, Matt (Victoria) Ostapovitch, and Matt Dvernichuk. The Prayer Service for Kay was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Both services were held at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Foam Lake, officiated by Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko. Others taking part in the service were: cantor, Jason Kopan; palomar, John Senkiw; cross bearers, Orest Monych & Brian Green; banner bearers, Jack Kotyk & Reg Danyluik and memorial table attendants, Brenda Fischl & Margaret Langevin. Pallbearers were Randy & Tanya Malinoski, Rob & Amber Malinoski and Rusty & Lindsy Malinoski. Interment followed in the Foam Lake Cemetery. Memorial Donations in Kay's memory may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care - Humboldt or St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt (306-682-1622).
CARD OF THANKS9 weeks may seem like a long time but when you're helping someone to enjoy their last precious days on earth, 9 weeks is a very SHORT time. Having wonderful caring and loving people standing by you and ready to help in anyway is above and beyond any material or monetary gift that can be given - hence why when a family journeys through an experience like this all types of gifts are so, so meaningful and appreciated - all the gifts of time, material or monetary. So to begin with, thank you to Dr. Kirchgessner, Dr. Levik-Brown and Dr. Shaw for all your gentle ways of caring for my mom, Katrina "Kay" Ostapovich and for being so compassionate with her and our family. To the staff in every department at Humboldt District Hospital, all of you touched mom's life in some way and all of you made a positive difference in her journey for the 3 weeks she was a patient in the hospital. The Palliative Care Team in Humboldt, you are most definitely "angels on earth" in all departments from equipment, to care and especially to the NURSING TEAM! The BIGGEST thank you goes to Connie Danyluik for keeping our business running so smooth while I was able to be with my mom for the whole 9 weeks, it was the best gift possible and to our staff for all your support. To the overwhelming support from the other funeral directors and homes throughout the province for all you did to help us out. To the wonderful, wonderful group of friends that made daily visits, ran errands or did whatever needed to be done at the time and to Brenda Fischl for your warmth and compassion, you have no idea how much that meant to all of us. To Allan Bremner for bringing the baby chicks to the house so mom could feel and see baby chicks just one more time, that was so, so special. You really made her day! To all moms Foam Lake friends who made special trips to visit her, she so loved each visit. To all who phoned, visited, sent flowers, gifts and food during her stay with us and after her death. To all 38 of you that came out to help celebrate her 87th birthday on May 3, 2011- wow what a day we had - thank you! To Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko and Jason Kopan who led us in an amazing personalized funeral service. Thank you to all others who participated in the prayer and funeral service in any way. To Danny Rudey and staff from Dan's Bakery and Catering, for the fantastic traditional Ukrainian dinner, it was truly amazing. To Ernie Smith for the opening and closing of the grave which was done with such dignity and care, thanks for your extra touches. Last but not least to everyone who attended the funeral and for the donations made in mom's memory, and to those of you who couldn't come but we knew and felt your thoughts and prayers were with us.VICHNAYA PAMYAT! - MEMORY ETERNAL!May God Bless You for all your good deeds, knowing that nothing has gone unappreciated.Gloria & Bernie Malinoski and family