1938 – 2024

 In loving memory of our mother, Sonia, who was our trailblazer. This is our tribute to you, Mom; we have missed hearing your voice and will forever be missing your hugs.

Dear Mom, you did so much that was wholesome and healthy… you were definitely ahead of your time. You were hip before hip was ‘hip’… yoga, macrame, growing sprouts, mung beans in the special jar on the kitchen counter, making yoghurt, growing avocado plants from the pits, kombucha, walking every day for exercise, using the slant board, the rebounder, vitamins/supplements… all this now trendy, hipster, lifestyle stuff was yours 50 years ago!! You hosted Genieware parties, Tupperware parties, and sold Avon (those mini lipsticks… we loved them). Today’s young hipsters want to revive Tupperware parties and fondues! Mom, we say “you rocked the Casbah!” This past year has gifted us with the realization that so much of what we do in our own lives is a direct emanation of your lifestyle practices, teachings, and lessons. Forever grateful. We love you.

Sonia was born in Edmonton AB, on July 16, 1938, to Ukrainian parents Julia (nee Hryniw) and Walter Pankiw. She was the oldest of four daughters.

Sonia grew up in the west area of Edmonton where Julia and Walter owned The West Edmonton Dairy from 1938 to 1949. In 1949, they sold the dairy and purchased The West End Grocery Store, which included a post office. With both parents working every day, Sonia had a lot of responsibilities in her ‘big sister’ role to Donna, RoseMarie, and Anne. In 1952, the Pankiws sold the grocery store and moved their family to Sedgewick AB, where Julia and Walter had purchased the Pioneer Hotel. Sonia and her sisters worked with their mom and staff after school and on the weekends, helping with kitchen and dining room duties as well as cleaning the guest rooms. Sonia had a busy childhood.

Sonia loved attending grade school. In 1955, she was heartbroken when her father insisted that she continue to work full time at the busy hotel instead of completing her Grade 12 year. In the Spring of 1956, at age 17, Sonia left her family and moved to Dawson Creek BC. She became employed as an office secretary and found that she truly enjoyed this type of work. She also enjoyed making new friends there, some of whom she formed lifelong friendships with. Alas, Sonia’s parents were deeply missing her, and in 1957 she moved back to Sedgewick. Soon after her return, Sonia met Walter Stogryn from Edmonton. They married on August 16, 1958 at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Edmonton. Mom had told us they had a HUGE wedding. There were 600 guests in attendance, the majority of whom were her parents’ business associates and friends.

The newlyweds resided in Edmonton. In 1959, their first child Gary was born, followed by Greg (1961), and Michelle (1964). In 1966, Walt accepted a work transfer to Dawson Creek BC with the Scott National Company. In 1969, Marcy was born, making their family complete.

Sonia had learned from her mother’s example to work hard at everything throughout her lifetime. Sonia was an exceptional homemaker, a talented cook, and a devoted wife and mother. She immersed herself in the Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) organization for almost two decades, initially becoming a Girl Guide Leader. She subsequently served as the District Commissioner for the BC Peace River Area, then was elected to the Area Commissioner position for that region. Our mom enjoyed teaching leadership and life skills to young girls, including her two daughters. She was very proud to be involved with the GGC and to represent this organization.

Walt and Sonia had an amazing and loyal circle of friends in Dawson Creek. Together they enjoyed casual backyard gatherings, playing crib and bridge, 5-pin bowling, weekend evenings out for dinner & dancing at the Elks Hall, annual Grey Cup parties, camping holidays, and fun times at various friends’ lakeside cabins in the Dawson Creek area. This made for many years of genuine camaraderie. Our youth was full of countless good memories, growing up in this small town.

Every Sunday at our house was our mom’s day to take over the record player. Her playlist came from the popular 1970’s Columbia House Record Club… 8 records for a penny! Singing along to songs from a wide variety of genres gave her pure enjoyment all day long. To no one’s surprise, Sonia loved to dance! It was a good thing that Walt enjoyed dancing as well, because it was often a challenge to convince Sonia to leave the dance floor.

Walt and Sonia eventually separated; in 1985, Sonia and Marcy moved to Kelowna BC. It was our mom’s second nature to be friendly to every person she encountered, no matter where she was. It didn’t take long for Sonia to make new friends, and she did so by joining a few social groups in town: Sing for Your Life, The Trefoil Guild, and The Ladybugs.

In 2017, Sonia suffered a stroke that immediately impacted her independence. She remained in Kelowna and moved into an assisted living residence. Sonia was still mobile with the aid of a walker and was capable of having good conversations, however her judgment and decision-making abilities were heavily affected. As Mom’s dementia progressed, her daughter Michelle became “Sonia’s helper”. In April 2024, Sonia was moved to Polson Extended Care Home in Vernon BC. She passed away on June 8, 2024.

Sonia is lovingly remembered by her children:

Greg Stogryn (Lana); granddaughter Ali Stogryn, great granddaughter Addison Stogryn, grandson Colin Stogryn (Jordan).

Michelle Odermatt (Paul); granddaughter Nadine Pavey (Kyle), grandson Kurtis Odermatt (Danika), great grandson Weston Odermatt.

Marcy Stogryn; granddaughters Paige Watson and Chelsea Greenman-Stogryn, grandsons Kyle and Kolten Greenman-Stogryn.

Grandsons Michael and Robbie (Gary’s sons).

Sonia’s memory will be cherished by her two sisters Donna Levang (Gordon) of Calgary AB and RoseMarie Porter of Drumheller AB, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and many wonderful friends.

Sonia was predeceased by her oldest son Walter Gary (2012), her mother Julia (1995), her father Walter (1977), her sister Anne (1995), her brother-in-law Robert Porter (2016), and the father of her children, Walt Stogryn (1985).

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com