With great sadness we announce the passing of our dear Jean Helen Tycholiz (nee Ewanchyna) on February 16, 2023, three days after her 95th birthday. The eldest of six children, Jean was born to John and Paranka Ewanchyna on February 13, 1928 in Prince Albert, and was raised in Janow Corners at her family’s general store.

A precocious child, Jean loved to explore and often found herself in trouble. She vividly remembered stacking boxes by a basement window at age three so she could sneak outside to play. 

Jean loved all her siblings and spent countless hours with her brother John. She often recalled that she practically “raised him” herself. Although she and sister Sylvia were also very close, Jean remembered that their personalities were very different: “Sylvia is so calm and content and I was always all over the place, looking for something else to do.”

While attending school at Janow Corners, Jean could always be found playing ball at recess and participating in sports with the boys. She was athletic and even created her own high jump pit where she practiced for hours to ensure she’d remain undefeated!

It was in school that Jean caught the eye of Mike Tycholiz. Although he was a serious and studious boy, Mike was intrigued by Jean and began frequenting her family’s store to get her attention. But when Jean “borrowed” his shiny star stickers from his desk, Mike raised his hand and politely said, “Please teacher, Jeanie Ewanchyna stole my stars!” It was quite a start to their romance!

Eventually the stars aligned and Mike and Jean were married on May 5, 1946 at the Ukrainian Church by Janow Corners. Jean recalled that it was a cool and dreary day, but the sun shone brightly just as they exited the church!

In 1948, they welcomed their first child Judy. Les was born in 1950 followed by Lesia (1953), Barb (1955), and Mark (1960). After residing in an old drafty house on the Tycholiz homestead, followed by another older farm home purchased from Mike’s brother, Jean was delighted to move into a brand new modern house near Meath Park in 1970.

Jean relished her life as a farm wife and mother. She was a talented musician, and her house was often filled with music. She played guitar, mandolin, piano, and organ – all by ear—and could sing all four harmony voices. She enjoyed her position as choir director and cantor at her church. Jean also loved to dance. She and Mike often helped organize the Meath Park Polka festival and enjoyed dancing the night away together.

In the 1970s, Jean was overjoyed when the grandchildren began to arrive. She had a knack for soothing a crying baby and was a true baby-whisperer!

An incredible baba to her 12 grandchildren, Jean loved attending their events and teaching them new skills. She was the queen of multi-tasking, and an afternoon with Baba could entail baking bread, tending to her immaculate garden, delivering people or parts to the field, and then preparing homemade soup for supper. The only time Jean allowed herself to sit and relax was the hour each day when she watched her story, The Young and the Restless.

Jean was a talented seamstress who sewed beautiful wedding dresses and graduation dresses for her family, often without a pattern! If she couldn’t find a suitable outfit for an upcoming event, she simply whipped one up in her sewing room.

Visits with Jean often included a trip to her abundant garden followed by a delicious home-cooked meal. Jean was an incredible cook, and her perogies and cabbage rolls were unmatched. At her elaborate Easter and Christmas Eve meals she made multiple kinds of perogies just to ensure everyone enjoyed their favorite!

Jean had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. Although she loved to tease, she was also self-deprecating and able to laugh at herself. After telling one of her outrageous childhood stories, she’d watch us laugh and then burst into laughter as well saying, “So be it!”

Family was always important to Jean. She helped care for her elderly parents and stressed the importance of loving your family unconditionally. Getting together with her siblings always brought a twinkle to her eye, and family events such as anniversaries, birthdays and holiday celebrations brought her immense joy.

On October 20, 2016, Jean’s life changed forever when she lost her dear Mike to cancer. She cared for him right until the end and then remained in the farm house for a year before moving to Preston Park in Saskatoon.

Jean was not afraid to meet her new neighbors and try new things. She enjoyed keeping busy and found happiness with visits from friends and family as well as activities at her new home. She was Preston Park’s bocce ball champion and finger knitted seat covers for the transport bus after the residents complained about cold seats..

In her later years, Jean faced several serious medical issues and surprised us many times by suddenly recovering from seemingly untreatable conditions. When doctors would say she had limited time left, we’d respond, “You don’t know Mom/Baba!”

After Jean’s passing, her physician Dr. Woloschuk contacted the family to express his shock and surprise. Just the week before, he’d seen her and thought she was doing well. Jean had told him that she wasn’t ready to go, but she felt her husband pulling her up and her family pulling her down. In the end, Mike’s pull was stronger, as he had patiently waited seven years to be reunited with his bride.

Jean’s strength, determination, and will to keep going were unparalleled. She truly was an inspiration. She will be greatly missed.

Jean was survived by her children: Judy Prokopie, Les Tycholiz, Lesia (Garth) Bondarenko, Barb (Tom) Boryski, and Mark (Suzanne) Tycholiz; her 12 Grandchildren: Rodney Prokopie, Kim Prokopie, Shannon (Hector) Janzen, Kirstie (Evan) Lindsay, Rochelle (Dave) Konkln, Courtney (Matt) Vandersnick, Micheal (Jill) Bondarenko, Mark (Miranda) Boryski, Luke Tycholiz, Steven (Sarah) Boryski, Kyle (Elizabeth) Tycholiz, Kayla Tycholiz; her 11 great-grandchildren; her 5 siblings: Sylvia (Louis) Podborchynski, Wesley (Helen) Ewanchyna, Elias (Rosillia) Ewanchyna, John (Sylvia) Ewanchyna, and Orest Ewanchyna, and her many nieces and nephews. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Mike Tycholiz, her parents John and Paranka Ewanchyna, her brother-in-law Louis Podborochynski, her son-in-law, Orest Prokopie, and her sister-in-law, Carolyn Ewanchyna. 

The Funeral Service for Jean will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 770 14th Street West, Prince Albert.  Family and friends unable to attend the service may view the livestream or the recorded service at  https://fweb.tv/96523

Friends and family wishing to send messages of condolence are welcome to do so at  https://grays.ca/tribute/details/2826/Jean-Tycholiz/obituary.html#tribute-start

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729, Paula Hanson, Funeral Director, and Mary MacWilliams.

• Date : 2023-02-20
• Location : Prince Albert, SK