Obituary of Alicia Amy Mihilewicz

Alicia Amy Mihilewicz Alicia Amy Mihilewicz passed away peacefully on March 24, 2017 at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, with her family by her side. Alicia was born on March 15, 1987 in Prince Albert, the third of four children of Barry and Gisele Mihilewicz. Alicia’s early years were filled with family activities and trips, mostly following her two older brothers as they competed in racquetball tournaments. Eventually she began playing and in 1996 she won a silver medal at Junior Nationals and competed at the World Jr. Racquetball Championships in California, taking 4th place in her age group. In 1997, Alicia was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a degenerative neurological disease, and by the age of thirteen she was in a wheelchair. Even though her disease robbed her of her coordination and mobility, Alicia always had a smile on her face. She was determined to make the most of her life, regardless of her disability. She started writing poetry, and was published in four different anthologies. In 2001, she received the Terry Fox Award for her determination in the face of her disability. She was an honour roll student throughout high school, and attended the University of Saskatchewan, eventually earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Alicia loved to travel. She enjoyed family trips to California, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Nashville, Memphis and a special Children’s Wish trip to Orlando. She loved Disney World, especially Splash Mountain, which she rode over and over again. In recent years she attended Ataxia Conferences in Las Vegas and Orlando, and especially enjoyed being with other people who shared the same challenges that she faced. In 2006 Alicia moved to Saskatoon to attend University. She lived at Cheshire Home for the next 9 years, and moved into Sherbrooke Care Home in the fall of 2015. In October 2016 she moved back to Prince Albert to be closer to family, taking up residence on Telemiracle Trail in Mont St. Joseph Care Home. She was welcomed there with open arms and quickly became part of their “family”. Alicia had a smile that lit up every room she was in. She loved life. She loved to laugh. She loved people, and enjoyed every visit and every outing. And she had a wonderful way of making people feel good. She lived a full life, and she will be dearly missed. Alicia will be lovingly remembered by: Her mother and father, Gisele and Barry Mihilewicz of Prince Albert Her brother and sister-in-law, Kris & Naomi Mihilewicz of Saskatoon Her nephew Holden Mihilewicz Her niece Lillian Mihilewicz Her brother and sister-in-law, Joel & Becky Mihilewicz of Prince Albert Her newest niece or nephew, due June 2017 Her brother Matthew Mihilewicz of Edmonton Her grandfather Tony (Carol Bueckert) Mihilewicz Her grandmother Barbara Moldowan Numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins Her other “mom”, Karen Bird Her “sisters”, Janick, Sheila, Heather and Germaine Her service dog, Odie As well as hundreds of friends and careworkers. Now that she’s in Heaven, Alicia will be enjoying a reunion with her beloved Grandmaman and Grandpapa, Fernande & Henri Mercier. The family would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the careworkers who helped make Alicia’s life the blessing that it was. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations in Alicia’s name to the Mont St. Joseph Foundation (www.montstjoseph.org) or to Friedreich’s Ataxia research (www.curefa.org). Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, March 31, 2017 at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 260-25th Street East Prince Albert, SK, Father Roque Concepcion and Very Reverend Maurice Fiolleau, Vicar General will concelebrate. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.