Nell STAKIW

Mrs. Nell Stakiw September 19, 1926 - October 27, 2008 - Nell Stakiw Nell Stakiw passed away peacefully in her 92nd year in hospital after a short illness. Predeceased by her husband, Walter; and granddaughter, Laura. Survived by sons, Dr. Jim (Diane) and Dr. Ken (Elaine); granddaughters, Dr. Susan Stakiw-Burnett, Dr. Julie Stakiw-Boyle, Lesley Swain, Allison Collyer, Jennifer Stakiw, and Jill Little; great grandchildren, Nicole, Parker, Lachlan, James, Blake and Peri; sister, Sylvia and brothers, Ted and Walter. Born fourth of ten children in a sod hut on the homestead in rural Saskatchewan, Nell attended a one room school where she learned English, helped with the raising of her younger siblings, did chores and saw harvests where everyone involved became covered with rust. She saw brothers go off to war and learned the virtues of hard work, honesty, perseverance, regard for others and the joy of life – a life no different than most Saskatchewan pioneers. Nell read widely in two languages and was interested in history, literature and art. She mastered cross-stitch, needlepoint, knitting, sewing and the quality of her perogies was legendary. But it was as a quilter that she spent her happiest moments. Hand quilting some 400 quilts over 50 years all of which she gave away, it might be said if her quilts were love they would reach heaven where she is now quilting with golden thread. Nell said recently that if everyone is given a blank page of life, hers was almost full with few regrets. After a lifetime of giving to all the communities in which she lived, she will be missed by all who will remember who she was and what she stood for. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008 at Park Funeral Chapel, 311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK, with Rev. Fr. André Lalach officiating. Interment will take place in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be sent via www.parkfuneral.ca. Arrangements entrusted to James Werezak of PARK FUNERAL CHAPEL, 244-2103. “Rest Now In Peace” Vichnaya Pamiat! - Memory Eternal!