Delvine Joan Woytowich (Zaparaniuk)

Nov 9, 1951 – March 30, 2023

This is the story of Delvine Joan Woytowich (Zaparaniuk).   Delvine was a wonderful Mom, friend, and most of all Baba that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Baba” as she liked to be called by her granddaughters Sarah and Ella, spoiled us and gave us popsicles when our mom would say no.

Del’s story starts on Nov 9, 1951 the oldest child to Steve and Gloria Woytowich. Delvine was born in Saskatoon, SK. When Delvine was younger she attended Sion Academy and she was part of a church group called Children of Mary. Delvine was 5 years old when her brother Ken was born on the exact same day as her birthday, November 9th. Delvine always had a soft spot for her younger brother Ken and loved that they shared the same birthdate.

Delvine attended St. Gerard and Sion Academy and met her life long friends Val, Jeanette, and Clara. Delvine tried out for a Ukrainian dance group, which at that time was now known as Yevshan, lead by Lucia Pavlychenko.

She met her best friend Helen Sulatyski at age 13 and they remained the best of friends for her entire life. The bond they shared was like no other and even up to a few days before her passing Delvine and Helen FaceTimed, cracked jokes, and made each other laugh with their one liners. During their time with Yevshan, Helen and Delvine danced on Parliament for the Queen and Canada‘s 100th celebration as well as performing at Toronto‘s CNE and Montreal’s Worlds Fair. After high school Delvine went to get her Nursing Degree and completed her Nursing practicum in Prince Albert where she met Ed. They had 2 children Cheryl and Blaine. They lived on Grey Owl Crescent in Prince Albert, and Delvine loved her neighbours and often spoke of how much fun all the neighbour families would have together.

Delvine decided to explore her nursing career and moved with Cheryl and Blaine to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1990 for 2 years. Her Dad convinced her to go because it gave her a better future for her kids. Even though it was hard to be away from everyone, she knew it was worth it. Delvine worked at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, Hawaii. She loved all her friends at Kaiser Hospital and talked about them dearly. They became her Hawaiian family. We have many memories of picnics at Waimanalo Beach, exploring Pearl Harbour, evening swims in the pool, and shopping trips to Pearlridge Center.

Delvine and her children moved to Saskatoon after 2 years in Hawaii but Delvine always had a dream to move back to Hawaii when her children were older. Delvine loved being a nurse at City Hospital and Home Care in Saskatoon and she met many nurses at both places that she still talked about for years and years. Delvine loved going from house to house and from room to room to care for each of her patients with so much love.

Delvine was the best mom. She would do anything for Cheryl and Blaine and worked so hard as a single mom to give them the best life. She loved their friends and always had peryshky, turkey, perogies, candies, chips and dip, pizza pops, and homemade donuts available for all of Cheryl and Blaine’s friends.

When her children were older she moved back to Hawaii and lived in Waikiki for 18 years and worked as a nurse at Kaiser Hospital once again. Delvine loved Hawaii! She would spend her time going for walks in Waikiki since there was always people around and always something to do.

Cheryl and Blaine have many Hawaiian memories visiting their mom every year while she lived in Hawaii.

Delvine moved back to Saskatoon to her condo on Acadia Drive 10 years ago. Her greatest joy was when her granddaughters Sarah and Ella were born. Sarah and Ella were her everything and vice versa. Time spent playing eye spy, playing cards, listening to her stories, nightly foot massages, balloon parties, and eating treats from Babas purse were the best memories.

Delvine got sick with cancer in 2017 and fought so hard. She beat it and we cried hearing the news of remission. Unfortunately, Delvine’s immune system was never the same after all the cancer treatments and she endured many infections. She fought so hard but her body was tired and she passed peacefully.

Delvine’s giving nature, love for everyone, big hugs, saying I Love You’s, and her smile will truly be missed!

                                   Vichnaya Pamyat                                    A Hui Hou

Loved ones that greeted Delvine in Heaven are her father Steve Woytowich, sister-in-law Kathy Woytowich, father-in-law Nick Zaparaniuk, mother-in-law Dora Zaparaniuk, brother-in-law Wayne Sr Vancoughnett, Reginald Sander, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Loved ones that will miss Delvine until they meet again are her daughter Cheryl (Todd Sander), her son Blaine (Jordan Sudermann), and her two precious granddaughter’s Sarah and Ella Sander; her mother Gloria Woytowich (Dziadyk); brother Ken Woytowich and his children David, Janelle, Gregg, and Kaylee and their families; sisters-in-law Beatrice (Ed Denesyk) and Marlene Vancoughnett; brother-in-law Jim Zaparaniuk (Wendy); Cheryl and Blaine’s father Ed Zaparaniuk; her best friend Helen Sulatyski; her special cousin Irene Kondra; nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and all those whose lives were touched by Delvine.

The family would like to thank Dr Bosch, who never gave up fighting for Delvine, Dr Wagner, and the extraordinary 5th Floor team (Nav, Jamie, etc) at Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert for their determined and compassionate care.

A Celebration of Delvine’s Life will be held on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 at 3pm at St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 210 Ave M South, Saskatoon, SK with a delicious Ukrainian meal to follow.

Delvine’s wish was that if you have pink, please wear pink on Wednesday since it was her favourite color.

Delvine wanted to volunteer at The Rose Garden Hospice once the building was complete so to help with Delvine’s wish, donations in her memory may be made to The Rose Garden Hospice, PO Box 2092 Prince Albert, SK, S6V 1E0

Family and friends may leave online condolences at https://grays.ca/tribute/details/2842/Delvine-Zaparaniuk/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 : 2023-03-30
• Location : Prince Albert, SK