Obituary of Cecilia Doryk

Mrs. Cecilia Doryk, late of Leoville, SK, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook, SK.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Leoville Community Hall.

There will be a Live Coverage of the Service on the St. Therese Parish, Leoville, SK Facebook Page.

Cecilia was born in Alticane SK.  November 7, 1931, to her parents Elsie and John Kulpa, just 5 days after the passing of her 2 year old sister Jane, and has 4 remaining siblings Margaret, Phyllis, Edward and Jim.

In the spring of 1946, the family moved from Alticane to the Junor district farm.  Here Cecilia attended Pearl school along with her brother and sisters. Being the eldest of her siblings she became the “designated driver” of the horse and cutter to school in the winter months.  She loved horses!  A good thing, because her father loved trading horses.  Cecilia had multiple opportunities to get bucked off, bitten, and kicked while getting to know these new to her- horses.

Also living on a farm in the Junor district was a dashing, mischievous (according to his sister Stella) young man by the name of Mike Doryk. Mike played the violin and loved music.  Cecilia played the guitar and loved music and dancing.  They were married November 19, 1949. They briefly lived with Mike’s parents before moving to a quarter section a few short miles away, with an existing log home. This was our home for the next 15 or so years.

Of course – farming in the 50’s was basically hard manual labour. Cecilia worked side by side with Mike to break the land, plant it and harvest. They raised pigs, chickens and cattle like most of their farming neighbours.

Times were strenuous back then on the farm; physically and financially. Cecilia would trap weasels in the winter months in order to buy Christmas gifts and clothes.  Mike was a fur trapper as well.  Cecilia’s trapping experience had influenced her granddaughter in trapping as well. Their children accompanied in all their farming activities.

Cecilia also stooked grain before they could afford a combine, helped out with the threshing and cooked for the threshing crews. Later when we had a combine to harvest, Cecilia would haul grain to the granaries.  This gave so many happy memories to the grandchildren who got to ride in the truck with her.  Her license plate sign “ Sit Down, Shut Up and Hang On” whether it was directed at her riders in the truck, it certainly reflected her sense of humor .

Cecilia also loved gardening vegetables and loved her flowers. She continued gardening into her 80’s and her gardens were admired and commented on by those passing by her yard every spring and summer. Then of course came harvest time when she would be busy pickling, (Best dill pickles ever!) canning and freezing vegetables.

Picking berries was a “must do” on her activity list.  In her later years, her brother Ed was frequently invited to accompany the berry picking along with Marleen or Donnie.  Cecilia was so thankful for all the time she got to spend with her brother Ed, and he has been a significant light in her life.

Another one of Cecilias “loves” was playing ball.  On the farm in Junor, Cecilia would usually play Anti-I-Over after supper dishes and frequently both Cecilia and Mike would play softball with us until dark.  Cecilia was a very good ball player.  One scene comes to mind when Leoville was participating in Celebrate Saskatchewan. Families formed ball teams and played each other.  Cecilia was 73 at the time and some of us “youngins” decided she should have an alternate runner, who was Stephanie. When we were playing the Krushelniski family Cecilia hit a line drive, she forgot Stephanie was running for her and just about beat Stephanie to first base. After witnessing that Cecilia was left on her own to run her own bases.

 Attending ball tournaments was a yearly event for Cecilia into her 80’s as well.

Music- another passion, Cecilia and Mike played for a number of community dances and socials.  We would often find Cecilia singing or humming along with her favorite country music station, Cecilia liked many genres of music. She particularly liked the opening song by Leo Sayer- When I need you.  Even in her time at Evergreen Home she would prefer the radio station to the television.

One of Cecilias favorite sayings was “Pitch In”.  She was referring to helping anyone and everyone who needed a helping hand to get something done or accomplished. Along with coming to help her children and neighbours, she was active in the community.  Cecilia fully supported the Healthcare Auxiliary with Bake Sales and Pie Sales; and providing lunches at the Golden Ring Seniors Centre; especially if there was a Kaiser tournament.  Like her father, John; she loved to play cards.  In fact, Cecilia had a very pleasant afternoon at the evergreen, playing cards just two days before her passing.  She also spent hours playing Uno and Go Fish with her grandchildren.

Cecilias “Happy Place” was in the kitchen.  Cooking and Baking was her greatest joy, and this was her way of showing others how much she appreciated their company.  Four O’clock was coffee time and there was always an assortment of cookies, dainties, donuts or cinnamon buns to go along with the HOT coffee.

As her children and grandchildren, she taught us how to cook and bake.  She raised the bar high, and we can only hope that we can do her lessons, suggestions, and techniques justice. She also enthusiastically shared these skills with others as they joined the immediate family.  Her grandchildren especially; often comment on how when they walked into baba’s house, how they would be greeted by the tantalizing smells from the stovetop and oven, “Sure smells good in here” and what they couldn’t eat on their visit was packed up and accompanied them to their destination.

Christmas Eve was the most magical get together of the year.  Cecilia was in “Her” kitchen and going ‘Full Steam’ in preparing food for the next week even though we were only there for a day or so.  Grandchildren were excited and chasing each other in the hallway or playing floor hockey with mini sticks.  The house was hot, the noise level was in the upper scales and Cecilia, baba, Celia was beaming. 

Cecilia is lovingly remembered by:

Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Leona Braun; Marleen (Jim) Trach and family: Jason (Jennifer) - Kolby, Tavis, & Amberly: Terry (Judy) - Michael, Morgan, & Hunter; Donald (Sylvia) Doryk and family: Kevin (Carolyn) - Josh & Payton: Stephanie (Harley) - Mason & Ayla; Lori Laberge and family: Tyler (Lenaya) - Aliyah & Nash: Paul, & Desiree (Joel) - Miyah, Her siblings: Margaret (Jim) Fedun, Phyllis Goertzen, Edward Kulpa, Jim (Bev) Kulpa, Her sister-in-law:  Mary (Doryk) Dillon

Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cecilia is Predeceased by:

Her husband:  Mike Doryk, Her sons-in-law: John Braun and Marcel Laberge, Her parents: John and Elsie Kulpa, Her brothers-in-law: Ed Doryk and Elmer Goertzen

Her sister-in-law:  Stella Johnson (John)

We will miss you Cecilia, Baba, Celia, Cecilia Doryk, but our memories of you and our time together are etched into our memories and fills our hearts with pride and joy.

We reluctantly let you go but will always hold your love near.  May God Bless you as you have blessed all of us with your 89 years 10 months.

Thank you everyone for sharing our time of grief and in our joy of knowing Cecilia, Baba, Celia, Cecilia Doryk.

 Memorial donations may be directed to the Leoville Cemetery in honour of Cecilia.  Covid regulations will be followed. 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, Lori Saam, Funeral Director, Spiritwood, SK 306-883-3500.