Ann Elash

Ann Elash of Ituna passed away on January 28th 2021 at the Ituna Pioneer Health Care Centre. She was 93 years of age. Ann was born on November 6, 1927; the second eldest of 11 children born to Roman and Mary (Kleacha) Patron. She was united in marriage to Nick J. Elash on October 24, 1948 and the couple had four children. Ann was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League. We have been very deeply blessed to have been granted this amazing wonderful lady in our lives until the age of 93. Ann was a mother, a mother-in-law, grandma, a great grandma, a sister, sister in - law, an auntie, and great auntie and a special friend to many. She was the rock and pillar and leader to the family, extended family and her friends. She was very family oriented. She was always excited to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren when they came to visit and was invited to many events and tried to never miss one. She hosted, coordinated and prepared for many weddings, showers, funerals, and church celebrations. She was always willing to support and assist wherever needed. Ann was a very giving personable person. She would check in with everyone, wanting to make sure everyone was ok. She put everyone's needs before her own. She was a great listener. She always had the biggest and most beautiful peonies. She was an exceptional gardener and took pride in her flowers. She loved to bake, cook, crochet, knit and quilt, which were often given as gifts. She will always be remembered for her giggle, her laugh, her beautiful warm sweet smile, her loving kind and caring heart, her sense of wittiness and humor. She always brought joy and cheered others up and inspired them, even though they were calling her to cheer her up. She loved to socialize and she loved to entertain. She welcomed everyone. Her doors were always open. She had an attention to detail, a flair for style, an eye for beauty, interior design and decorating. She was very determined, strong willed and had the strength to preserver. She taught us (even in hard times) to guard our precious bodies in the miracle of our lives, to love, be joyful, to sing and dance, to appreciate the blessings we are given, to be grateful, thankful and to be the better person, to believe when we pray, to have faith and trust in God, to be kind, to be patient, to be compassionate, to inspire others, to bless and be a blessing to others whenever needed and most importantly to forgive. Ann was a beautiful spirit filled gift of light and child of God. She was a devoted servant and worshipper of God. She was strong in her faith and taught us to do the same. She was the light in many people's lives. So, it is truly fitting that on this feast day of Candlemas also known as the Feast of the Holy Encounter commemorating the presentation of Jesus to God at the temple where candles are brought to the church to be blessed to serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who referred to Himself as the Light of the World. Today we bring our mom as a candle to be blessed and present her to the temple of God. We believe that Ann has been escorted by an army of angels to the Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father where there is no more pain, tears, or sorrow but eternal life and we are joyous. I can only imagine what it will be like when you're surrounded by God's glory and what your eyes will see when God's face is before you. Our words cannot express the joy you brought us thru the years. We are so proud of you and that you were our Mother. All you had to offer was the promise of a life time of love. You took our weakness and made us strong. You gave us a sense of pride. You are to us the greatest love of all. The love you gave will always live inside of us and today we must say goodbye. We thank you for your unconditional love, your wisdom, your blessings and your prayers. We will always love you until forever comes. We will miss your wings of love and compassion more than you will ever know. May you forever grow in our hearts, so we can make this world a better place. Ann leaves to mourn, her three children. Her daughter Elaine (Eugene) Dorosh, of Saskatoon, her son Dave (Elaine) Elash of Ituna, her daughter Sharon (Darrell) Leontowicz of Calgary. Seven grandchildren and their spouses: Rick (Julie) King, Ryan Dorosh, Jena (Paul) Bourasseau, Mandy (Brendan) Brunet, Blake (Amy) Leontowicz, and Michelle Elash and her friend Tyler Maltman, Megan (Tanner) Schmidt. Seven great grandchildren: Lexi King, Courtney King, Levi Schmidt, Easton Schmidt, Parker Brunet, Audrey Leontowicz and Archer Bourasseau. Six siblings: Fred (Martha) Patron of Goodeve, Jean Stankewich of Yorkton, Rozalia Bialek of Selkirk, Manitoba, Natalie Shevernoha of Ituna, Martha Patron of Yorkton, and Merv Patron of Ituna. Numerously nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins and friends. Ann was predeceased by her husband Nick J. Elash, a daughter Betty King, her brothers Steve Patron, Matt Patron, her sisters Katherine Patron and Stella Walchuk, brother in laws John Bialek, Walter Shevernoha, Joe Walchuk, nephew Kerry Walchuk, baby grandniece Samantha Cowie. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank Father Basil, for the Funeral Liturgy and the Prayer service. Thank you to the Pall Bearers Merv Patron, Brian Patron, Delon Smysniuk, Edgar Matysio, Kenny Elash, Kevin Krett and the Cross-Bearer Mandy Brunet. Thank you to the Canters Wayne Boczulak, Ladimar Moskal and all those who assisted them in answering the services. To Dean and the Staff from Bailey's Funeral Home, for your professional service, we thank you. To the Ituna Pioneer Health Care Center staff, thank you for being our mom's second family. We are truly grateful for your loving and caring gestures towards our mom. To everyone, we thank you for your kindness and your support at this most difficult time. Thank you for all your gifts and presence in our mom's life. You made our mom feel so very special and we are truly grateful. Your kindness will never be forgotten. To Our Mother Ann You brought us into the world. You nurtured and loved us as we grew. Putting your own needs aside, you tended to ours. As we matured, we came to recognize your sacrifices and your enduring love and devotion for us. Now we have come a full circle. We have tried to be there for you. As you left this world, we were by your side. Although you have gone, your spirit, your strength, your love lives within each of us. This torch we will carry on and one day pass to our children and loved ones, completing the circle. We will let your light shine thru us everywhere we go. Mom, let this be our prayer, be our angel now, be our shoulder when we cry, hear our voices when we call you and when all hope is gone, be near, and when it is time where we face a storm, be right by our side and be our shelter, so that your grace will keep us safe and warm and we know that we will survive. Watch us where we go, help us to be wise, in times when we don't know. Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, to a place where we will be safe. We pray we will find your light and hold it in our hearts. We ask that life be kind, and that you watch over us from above. We love you Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and always will, and until we meet again… until then, Goodbye. Your children. Prayers were held on Monday, February 1st 2021 and the Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Tuesday, February 2nd, all from the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ituna. Rev. Fr. Basil Malowany officiated. Cantors, Ladmer Moskal & Wayne Boczulak led in the responses. Crossbearer was Mandy Brunet, daughter Sharon read the Epistle and gave the eulogy. Jane Chorney represented the UCWL. The interment took place in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery with Merv and Brian Patron, Delon Smysniuk, Edgar Matysio, Kenny Elash and Kevin Krett serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com