Dilly Kucharyshen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dilly (Multon) Kucharyshen, wife of the late Joe Kucharyshen and mother to Brenda, Zoria, Hazel and Bradley. Dilly passed away in the presence of family on March 30, 2020 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Home, Melville, Saskatchewan.

 

Lovingly named by her father, “Dilly” was born in the Glen Elder District, north of Danbury, Sask, June 1, 1935. She attended South Porcupine School until grade 8. At the age of 16, Dilly entered the workforce at the Co-op Chicken Hatchery & Processing Plant in Yorkton, Sask. Following that, Dilly continued employment as a “Domestic Engineer” for various families within the surrounding communities.

 

Dilly met the love of her life, Army Veteran and farmer, Joseph “Joe”, Kucharyshen. After a short courtship via a McCormick W6 tractor, Dilly and Joe united in marriage on July 21, 1956 at the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Canora, Saskatchewan.

 

If there was an award for “Greatest Domestic Engineer”, Mom would surely hold the title year after year. Whether it was making perohy, holubtsi, beetniks, studenetz or baking her special cornmeal buns, cinnamon buns or her mile-high chiffon cakes; every task was done with love, cleanliness and “perfection”. Care packages were always bountiful for her children and grandchildren. We never left Mom / Baba’s house “empty handed”.

 

Mom was an avid crafter. She crocheted afghans for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as dishcloths and potholders “galore”, as she would say. Knitted house slippers were made by the dozen. All items were made consistently, with great attention to detail. Colors were carefully chosen oftentimes with specific people in mind, or just because. Mom was rightly proud of her handiwork which she could have easily sold. However, her big heart found joy in generously blessing others with it as a gift instead.

Oh, how Mom loved her music! GX94’s “Saturday Night Get Together” Country & Ukrainian music night was rarely missed. She sang along through laughter and through tears. “I’ll Dance The Slow Waltz In Your Arms Tonight” and “Doroha Moya Mama” (My Dear Mother) were two of her favorites.

 

Mom loved gardening in the summer and preserving all her harvest in the fall. Berry picking and mushroom picking were her joy. During those berry and mushroom expeditions, Mom would keep us on our toes as she was somewhat of a “prankster”. Many a pail of mushrooms were left behind as we ran out of the bush because we thought we heard a bear, only to look behind us to see Mom bent over in laughter! 

 

Dilly will be lovingly missed by her Children - Brenda (Myron) Gazdewich, Zoria Kucharyshen, Hazel (Robert) Patzer, Brad (Nicol) Kucharyshen; Grandchildren - Candace, Daralis (Tom), Brittney (Tyler); Great Grandchildren - Kadence, Logan, Jayden, Samantha; Sister - Janet (Irvine) Gibson; Sister-In-Laws - Vicky Multon and Emma Multon, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

 

Dilly was predeceased by her parents Mike and Mary (Stefanyshyn) Multon; her loving husband Joseph; her sister Olga Chenewski; her nephew Richard Chenewski; her brother Mervin Multon; her nephew Leslie Multon; her brother Johnny Multon; and her grandson Alexander Patzer.

 

We are grateful for your kind words and prayers for us during our time of loss. Flowers are beautiful and we do appreciate them. However, Mom always taught us to pay it forward.  In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, donations may be made in Mom’s memory to Grace United Church in Sturgis, the Sturgis Community Cemetery, or The Gideons International Canada.

 

Our sincere and deepest gratitude to Ray and Crystal Bailey, and team, of Preeceville Funeral Home and Reverend Miles Russell of Grace United Church, for assisting us in honouring our precious Mom’s legacy.