SWYSTUN: The death of Leona Swystun occurred on Friday, June 9, 2006 at her residence Central Park Lodge. Leona was born on September 17, 1909 in Rossburn, Manitoba. At a very young age she moved with her family to Menzie. Leona worked for farm families around Manitoba, Perth's and the City Bakery in Winnipeg, and the Vancouver Hospital as chief cook for many years. While in Vancouver Leona volunteered a lot for the Salvation Army including knitting, sewing, baking, or whatever needed to be done. Leona was never scared of work. She worked hard all of her life, but she managed to come home to visit her family. At the age of 65, Leona retired to Brandon where she enjoyed everyone's company while she lived in the Grand Valley apartments, she then later moved to Sokol Manor. Leona was fond of traveling and took a few trips to Europe. Leona volunteered with the Ukrainian ladies to make perogies at the hall and was a member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church. As her health failed she moved to Central Park Lodge, where she enjoyed the nurses, staff, and having a good time with them all. Every Sunday she enjoyed playing Canasta with her family, Leona was very active in all activities at Central Park including cooking, baking, and doing handwork. Leona was a very good cook and her baking was the very best, especially her tarts and pies. Leona was predeceased by her husband Bill Swystun; father Tymko Zapuchlak in 1958, her mother Nastie Zapuchlak in 1964, her twin brother and sister Harry and Teenie in infancy; sisters Mary, Annie, Alice, Kay, and brother Tom. Leona is survived by her brother Bill (Rose) Zapuchlak of Brandon; sisters Marie Jaros of Ottawa, Ontario who is 101 years old, Nellie Stusick of Fort Francis, Ontario; one sister-in-law Gladys Zapuchlak of Edmonton, Alberta; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. The Funeral Ceremony to Celebrate Leona's Life was held on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 10:30 am at Memories Chapel. Rev. Fr. Michael Tkachuk officiated. Cantor was Mr. Tony Yuriy. Urn bearers were David and Shaun Hyde. Interment was held in the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Leona may be made to Children's Wish Foundation-Manitoba Chapter 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3J2. If Leona was here now, she would like to say to the staff at Central Park Lodge "Thank you" for all the love and good care you all gave me. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.
Memorials
Children's Wish Foundation