Mildred Yaciuk

YACIUK, Mildred Born May 14, 1931 - March 13, 2023 Aged 91 Years. 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Mildred (Wavryk) Yaciuk on 13 March 2023.

  Mildred was born on May 14, 1931, to Joseph and Dora (Malayny) Wavryk. She was born into a large family of 13 children. Mildred attended the Timber School in the R.M. of Hillsburg where she received a Grade 5 education. At the age of 15, she gave birth to a son, Michael who she placed in an orphanage. Mildred loved her son dearly and visited him as often as she could.

    Mildred was always a hard worker. She first helped her parents on the family farm. Later she moved to Winnipeg and found employment with a Jewish family preparing meals and cleaning their home.  A short time later she returned to Roblin and began working for George Pitz who owned a logging business. There she not only cooked meals but she also hauled logs with team of horses and later with a semi-truck. She was known to work, just as hard as the men.

     In the fall of 1953, Mildred met Mike Yaciuk of Shortdale, Manitoba at a dance. On October 1, 1954; Mildred and Mike were united in marriage and Mildred's son Michael joined the family that fall. Two years later, Eileen was born on 1 April 1956.

     That year, their farm was not producing well so in October of 1956 Mike obtained work at the Foundry in New Westminster B.C.  Mildred followed 2 weeks later with the two children. The move was short lived and they decided to return home to Manitoba and farm.

     In the many years that followed Mildred and Mike worked hard but there were also good times. They attended numerous dances, weddings, school Christmas concerts, Bingos and picnics.

     Mildred always had a big garden and the produce was either pickled or canned.  She loved picking berries and mushrooms. She was always cooking and baking much to the delight of her family and friends.

Mildred was never idle. In her “spare time” she braided rugs. Using donated clothes, she would cut them in strips, braid the strips together and then sew them either in a circular or oval pattern.  Her rugs are found in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. They are treasured by those who owned them.

     In late Spring of 1973, Mildred flew to Nova Scotia to visit with her son Michael and family.

In April of 1981 Mike and Mildred sold the farm and retired in Roblin, Manitoba. Mildred continued to make rugs and garden.  She also joined TOPS at that time and developed many friendships.

In 1992, Mike and Mildred sold their home in Roblin and moved to Yorkton, to be closer to their daughter Eileen and family.

     Their early years in Yorkton were happy ones surrounded by family and friends. Mildred and Mike were still able to travel, to visit family in Ontario and British Columbia.  Their home was always open to family and friends. Anyone who visited never left hungry.

    In 2003, Mildred's health was declining. She suffered a heart attack in that year and had developed diabetes. Despite these health issues, Mildred with the help of her daughter, was able to remain at home where she cared for her husband Mike who was going blind.  Mike entered the nursing home in 2012. In 2014, Mildred suffered a second heart attack. This was a difficult time for Mildred and for all who loved her so dearly.

    In 2016, due to health reasons Mildred moved into the Gladstone Seniors Residence. A year later she was hospitalized for ill health and memory loss.  On December 18, 2017; Mildred entered the Yorkton and District Nursing Home until her passing.

     Mildred is predeceased by her husband Mike Yaciuk, her parents Joseph (Joe) Wavryk and Dora (Malayny) Wavryk, her sisters Anne, Irene and Marcella; her brothers, Freddie, Victor, Nestor, Richard, Adam, Walter, Andrew and Peter.

     Mildred is survived by her children, Michael (Bea) Yaciuk of Granville Beach, Nova Scotia, daughter Eileen (Larry) Kostiuk of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Also 4 grandchildren Kim (Chris) Perry of Campbell River, B.C., David Yaciuk (Reg) of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia; Jennifer Kostiuk (Sau Kwan) and Michelle (Matthew) Andrew of Yorkton. Three great grandchildren, Benjamin Perry, Colton and Kayla Andrew. Also, a sister Stella Carlbom of Thunder Bay, Ontario and numerous nieces and nephews.

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