Obituary of Dorothy Jane Sawka

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

April 9, 1920 – August 25, 2021

We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved Mother, Dorothy, passed away peacefully at William Booth Special Care Home, in her family’s presence at the age of 101. Born in Cabri to Hazel (née Gleason) of Minnesota and Mayflower descendant Ralph Lovell of Iowa, she was raised on a farm near Lacadena. She loved riding her “school horse”, Gyp, to school, but received later education in Saskatoon.

A Beauty Culture Certificate brought her to Regina in 1938, hairdressing at Wadsworths Beauty Shoppe. She soon met her dear husband Michael Sawka and married on October 1, 1941, at Blessed Sacrament Church. Attending Mass with him, she became a faithful convert to the Catholic Church at that time. Soon they began their family and Mike joined the RCAF in WW2 as a radar instructor, which took them to Yarmouth NS then Clinton ON until 1945. Returning to Regina they raised their three children in the Little Flower community. She later worked as SGI clerk, then saleslady at her favourite shop, D’Allairds, until Mike’s passing in 1984 after 43 years of marriage.

72 years of membership in the Catholic Women’s League of Canada gave her great joy, serving several terms as president at Little Flower, then Blessed Sacrament. To that, as in all pursuits, she brought joyous energy, fun and enthusiasm! From her ‘Life & Times’:  “One of the proudest moments of my life was in 1956 when, as the first woman honoured to speak in the new Little Flower Church, I presented the CWL’s cheque to Father Leibel for the beautiful St. Theresa window.” Also, as “Music was my favourite sideline”, she zipped out the oldies on the piano and joined the 49ers; loved Volunteering, Travel, Bowling, Dancing, Cats, Horses, Pansies, Blue. In her 18 years at Queen Victoria Estates, she began and led the QVE Singers, entertaining fellow residents at every holiday. Cards and Word Search kept her mind sharp throughout her senior years.

Predeceased by siblings, Vern, Lois and infant brother Fred, and grandson Joshua, Dorothy will be forever missed by her children, Beverley (Gordon), James (Anne Marie) and Sherry (Ronald); along with grandchildren, Laurie, Anthony (Denise), Cara (Rory); 6 great-grandchildren, Christine (Jeffry), Michael (Jennifer), Sandra (Garret), Avery, Paisley and Biatta; 6 great-great-grandkids, Elijiah, Colby, Brooklynn, Brody, Brantley and Brayden. Also many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends in Canada and U.S.

Very Special Thanks to her dear Granddaughter Laurie for her loving compassion and care, especially in her final months. Our deep gratitude also to William Booth caring staff.

All who knew ‘Dot’ will miss but remember her fondly. We are blest, proud and thankful to have had the Gift in our lives of such a Loving Mother; Kind, Charitable and Dear Friend to all.

Funeral Mass to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held at Holy Cross Church, 315 Douglas Avenue East, Regina, SK, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Richard Jasiak, Celebrant. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above on the day of the service.  Interment in Riverside Memorial Park. Flowers gratefully declined.  Masks are Mandatory.

To use your own words, Mom:  “We Love you – Always Have! Always Will!”