Obituary of Shirley Deloras Boychuk

"Please click here to view the livestream of the service"

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing on Thursday, June 15, 2023, of our beloved wife, sister, mother, and Baba, Shirley Boychuk. Another life cut short by cancer, Shirley was a vibrant and active 76 years of age.

Born on September 3, 1946, in Canora, Saskatchewan, Shirley lived a full, eventful, and courageous life, full of adventure, kindness and love.

Like many Saskatchewan women of her age, Shirley grew up on a farm, where she learned the importance of family, morality, faith, and God’s golden rule — do unto others as you would have done onto you.

A sassy child growing up, Shirley loved practical jokes, some of which got her in trouble, but these moments of laughter cemented her place as the life of her family. Early in childhood, her compassionate side began to shine, a sixth sense for caring for others, a trait that would serve her well throughout her life. Her childhood was filled with hard work, balanced by caring for her siblings, especially her younger brother. She was her family’s rock then, and forever, until the end of her life.

During these formative years, Shirley learned her way around a kitchen. An amazing cook, baker, and host, she delighted her family with amazing meals for decades. She truly was an artist in the kitchen, who served the most delicious dishes, especially her perogies, cinnamon buns, saskatoon berry pie, and so many more. Feeding people and watching them delight in her creations was truly her passion.

In 1962, Shirley moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to attend hairdressing school, establishing herself as a “city girl.” But a Saskatchewan farm boy turned teacher, Lawrence Boychuk, chased her down. Starting in 1964, the two began a long-distance love affair, with Lawrence driving several hours each weekend to Winnipeg. The trips took a toll on his car. Despite having no money and only a newly signed teaching contract, he found a way to purchase a brand-new car. Shirley even picked the seat colour. They married in 1965, a match made in heaven, 57 years strong.

After living in Inglis, Manitoba briefly, the couple moved back to Rocanville, Saskatchewan. Soon after, Shirley blessed Lawrence with two wonderful daughters, Lenore, and Kimberley. A tight-knit family of four, Lawrence and Shirley and their girls prospered in a home filled with love, faith, and kindness. Vacations and family trips were the norm, as the girls went everywhere with their parents. During the girls’ childhood, Shirley passed on her skills in the kitchen and in the garden. Blessed with a green thumb, Shirley took great pride in her vegetable and flower gardens, which were always remarkable pieces of beauty despite whatever Saskatchewan’s temperamental weather threw at them.

In time, there were grandchildren, Kalyna, and Carley. Shirley took great pride in all of their pursuits and was especially proud that both girls embraced the Ukrainian culture and faith. As she did with her daughters, Shirley instilled the importance of tradition, morals, and family with her granddaughters. She gave them a foundation to prosper. As Kalyna and Carley grew into young women, and embarked on lives of their own, Shirley remained a constant  — a Baba available at a moment’s notice, anytime, anywhere, by phone or by text, to provide sage and thoughtful advice, gentle but firm guidance and most of all, unconditional love.

She was so very proud of her “girls”, her daughters, and granddaughters. She left this world, content that they will have full, exciting, and loving lives themselves.

In her later years, Shirley continued to enjoy travel and adventure, especially with her older sister Evelyn and brother-in-law Metro. Her curiosity was insatiable, and she could find joy anywhere, relaxing in the Caribbean on a luxury cruise ship or having coffee on a quiet, sunny morning on a porch in Nashville, Tennessee.

A busy family life, for sure, but Shirley still found time to take care of others outside of those related to her. She had her own hairdressing business from 1962 to 1994, forming lifelong friendships with many clients. From 1983 to 1999, she helped Lawrence build their fruitful Amway business, helping complete strangers become successful businesspeople. For the past 20 years, Shirley took the lead in their private senior care home business. For the better part of those two decades, Shirley and Lawrence owned and operated one of the most respected senior care homes in Regina. Her devotion to the sick, weak, and elderly was without equal.

Dear God, you have a new angel, a devoted servant who will continue your work on this Earth from the Heavens above. We give her up so reluctantly, but know that she will find new joy, new adventures, and even more purpose by Your side.

Shirley is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lawrence, sister Evelyn Boychuk and brother John (Stephanie) Bodnaryk, daughters Lenore (Gerry) Evans and Kimberley (Kevin) Blevins, granddaughters Kalyna Blevins and Carley Evans and numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her parents, John P Bodnaryk and Mary Bodnaryk, sister Irene Wasylyshen, brothers-in-law Ernie Wasylyshen and Metro Boychuk and nephew Trevor Wasylyshen.

Prayers for Shirley will take place at St Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 2075 McDonald Street, Regina, SK on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Michael’s on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Service will be livestreamed. Interment will take place at Holy Assumption Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Boychuk’s Church) outside of Rhein, Saskatchewan following the funeral. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Regina Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit (3A). The nurses and doctors of this unit are exceptional, and we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for taking such incredible care of Shirley.