JENNIE FRANKO

September 17, 1930 – October 8, 2020

The family is sad to announce the peaceful passing of Jennie Franko (nee Dubyk) on October 8 2020, after a brief illness.  Jennie is survived by her children David, wife Arlene, and their children Michael (Liz and great grandchildren Declan and Addison), Larissa (fiancé Graeme), Daniel, Matthew, Amy, and her daughter Joanne (husband Tim Ouellette).  Jennie is survived by her sisters Irene, Sophie, Helen (Victor), brother Orest, and sister-in-law Vicki and brother-in-law Stefan (Roma) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents Ksenka and Wasyl, brother Morris Dubyk, brothers-in-law John Choma, Bill Shumay, Al Wolf, John Franko, Bill Kutcher, sisters-in-law Mary Shumay, Pauline Dubyk, Regina Dubyk, Doris Rohachuk, and Rose Kutcher and her husband Nick. Mom was born and raised on a farm near Mayfair, Saskatchewan. While Mom appreciated the benefits of a farm life she aspired to life off the farm and went to psychiatric nurse training school in Weyburn where she met her husband Nick.  They were married in 1951 and moved to Moose Jaw in 1955.   She worked at Valley View Centre in a variety of positions until her retirement.   Mom was involved in many organizations during her lifetime but two organizations that gave her a great source of pride and accomplishment was her involvement with the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League (locally, provincially, and nationally) and Musée Ukrainia Museum.   Mom was a staunch supporter of the Museum and its mission to preserve the cultural contributions of the Ukrainian Catholic community and she contributed her talents by embroidering a number of Ukrainian ladies blouses and men’s shirts for the Museum.

Mom was proud of all of David’s and Joanne’s achievements and those of her grandchildren.  Mom embraced technology and at the age of 84, bought her first iPad so that she could keep up with her grandchildren. More recently, she enjoyed using Instagram to keep up with all the antics of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Mom instilled the love of reading in David and Joanne at an early age and was an example of a life-long learner, something her children have maintained.  She ensured her children were brought up appreciating their Ukrainian heritage and instilled in both a love for the Ukrainian Catholic faith.  Mom was an excellent seamstress, and she was talented in crochet, knitting, petit point, embroidery, and quilting. Mom was an excellent cook and baker and her holubtsi, pyrohy, paska and babkas, breads, bun, etc. were always perfect.  She also appreciated good homemade cooking and lately her favourite place to eat became “Tim’s Kitchen”.  Mom was a kind, generous, compassionate, and empathic mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by her family.

Nick and Jennie moved to Saskatoon in 2011 and Jennie embraced ‘condo’ living, making many great friends in the St. Volodymyr Villa community.  Jennie’s health began to gradually decline in the past few months and was admitted to hospital on August 6th, 2020. 

Throughout Mom (and Dad’s) time in Saskatoon, they were fortunate to have been in the care of Dr. G. Daniels, an exceptional family physician, His patience, kindness, concern and empathy are outstanding. The family wishes to thank the staff of 5200 at Royal University Hospital, and particularly Dr. B. Leis and Dr. M Jelani for their compassionate and empathic care of Mom.  Mom was moved to Palliative Care at St. Paul’s Hospital on August 29th.   The family wish to thank all the staff on the Palliative Care Unit, and specifically acknowledge the care provided by Dr. Walker and Dr. Johnson, Cindy, Michelle, Chrystal, Maureen, Rénee, Nancy, Ruth, and Anna Marie. All the staff on this unit are truly angels and your compassionate care of Mom and of us during this difficult time was exemplary. Memorial donations can be made to Musée Ukraina Museum, Royal University Hospital Foundation c/o Unit 5200, or the Hospice at Glengarda, c/o St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.   Please ensure the donation is in memory of Jennie Franko. Parastas or the Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 pm at the Chapel at St. Volodymyr’s Villa (3102 Louise Place). The Prayer Service is limited to immediate family and the St. Volodymyr Villa community residents only. The Requiem Divine Liturgy Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 16 at 1 pm at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church (1202 11th Street). Social Distancing requirements and masks will be in place for both services.  Pre-registration is required for the Funeral Service which may be made by contacting one of the family members. Interment will follow the Divine Liturgy at Woodlawn Cemetery. Live-Streaming will be available only for the Divine Liturgy at: www.faithproductions.ca/livestream Funeral arrangements are in care of David Schurr, Mourning Glory Funeral Services, (306) 978-5200.