Sonia Sawatzky

In Loving Memory of Sonia Sawatzky 
(Previously Skwarchuk) (Nee Belous)
 
November 23, 1944 – August 9, 2026 

It is with deep sadness and loving remembrance that we announce the passing of Sonia Sawatzky on August 9, 2026, at the age of 81.

Born in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan, to Micheal and Mary Belous, Sonia spent her childhood on the family farm southwest of Bredenbury. She attended Glyndwr Country School before moving with her family to Canora in 1958 after the passing of her father. There she completed her schooling and built the foundation of strength, resilience, and work ethic that would define her life.

On August 11, 1960, Sonia married George Skwarchuk. Together they welcomed six children: Wayne, Debra, Valerie, Sharon, Gregory, and Dennis. The family lived in Canora, Yorkton, and later Thompson, Manitoba, where Sonia devoted herself to raising her family. Life brought both joy and heartbreak. In 1971, the family suffered the devastating loss of her son Gregory in a house fire. Through unimaginable grief, Sonia rebuilt her home and continued to provide unwavering love and support to her children.

Sonia began her professional career at Thompson General Hospital in 1973 before working for CHTM Radio. She later dedicated more than two decades of service to the Government of Canada, holding positions with Transport Canada, Nav Canada, the RCMP, Human Resources Development Canada, Service Canada, and Revenue Canada. She retired in 2005 after a distinguished career serving Canadians.

Family was the center of Sonia's world. She loved fishing, camping, gardening, preserving fruits and vegetables, making sauerkraut and borscht, and preparing countless batches of homemade perogies and cabbage rolls that became treasured family traditions. She took great pride in teaching her children and grandchildren these skills and recipes, ensuring they would be carried forward for future generations.

Throughout her life, Sonia embraced recreation and community. She was an accomplished baseball pitcher in her younger years and remained active through curling, Aquasize, cards, board games, and dancing. Her love of sports continued well into retirement, and she earned a curling trophy in 2013 while enjoying many bonspiels and friendships along the way. Whether playing games with family, cheering on the Blue Jays, or enjoying music and dancing, Sonia found joy in life's simple pleasures and in being surrounded by those she loved.

Sonia also enjoyed travelling and creating memories with family and friends. Her adventures took her to Niagara Falls, Churchill, Mazatlán, the Canadian Rockies, an Alaskan cruise, and many destinations throughout Canada and the United States. These experiences reflected her curiosity, independence, and appreciation for the people and places that enriched her life.

Sonia was predeceased by her parents, Micheal and Mary Belous; her brother Stanley Lozinski; her sons Wayne and Gregory Skwarchuk; her grandson Thomas Duncan; her son-in-law James Dakers; her brother-in-law Norman Litzenberger, sister-in-law Madeleine Hill; and her first husband, George Skwarchuk.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Debra Duncan (Stuart), Valerie Toone (Tracy), Sharon Dakers, and Dennis Skwarchuk (Tom); daughter-in-law Tracy Skwarchuk; her grandchildren Jenny Duncan, Justine Skwarchuk (Vince), William Dakers (Jennifer), James Robertson (Amy), Jordan Dakers, Daniel Duncan (Cam), Elizabeth Volk (Kevin), Jessica Robertson (Stephen), and Johnathan Duncan; her great grandchildren Rylan Duncan, Alyssa Harris Duncan (Tyson), Treydon Moose, MaKinna Dakers, Genevieve Dakers, Finnley Robertson, Rowyn Robertson, Isabella Volk and Orland Volk; her step-great-grandchildren Delia Armitage, Carlin Armitage, and Kenneth Gault; her great-great grandchildren Easton Braud and Ecadius Elmer; her sisters Kathy Litzenberger, Helen Yanish (Ernie), Eleanor Sliva (Ron), Frances Iverson (Ivan), and Joanne Perkins (Keith); her brother Dale Lozinski; her uncle Lawrence Nahewchesky (Holly); and her brother-in-law John Skwarchuk (Virginia), and numerous extended family members, and friends.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the care and comfort mom received from the many doctors, nurses and health care aides at the Brandon General and St. Boniface Hospitals for their care and compassion. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Sonia's greatest legacy is the family she loved so deeply and the values she instilled through her example: resilience, hard work, compassion, and devotion to those we hold dear. 

Those we love never truly leave us. They live on in the memories we share, the lessons they taught us, and the love they gave so freely.

To put mom’s true thumbprint on this life’s journey summary - this is “The End…”