Joanne Marion (Yurkowski) Stefanyk

STEFANYK, Joanne Marion (Yurkowski)

August 30, 1934 – November 19, 2018

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma – the much-loved, admired and respected matriarch of our family - on November 19, 2018 at the age of 84 years

Joanne was born in Mundare, Alberta on August 30, 1934 to parents John and Marie Yurkowski (nee Batuik). She grew up in Hilliard, Alberta and then moved to Edmonton to attend college and work.  In 1956, she married her true love, Fred Stefanyk, and they moved to Radway, Alberta where their five treasured children were born. The family moved to Bentley in 1967 where Joanne resided for the remainder of her years. She worked with Fred in their Bentley Drugstore until Fred’s passing in 1977. Then she began a new career at the Bentley Hospital as a Health Care Aide – a career she loved and that allowed her to share her kindness, care and compassion. Joanne was an incredible woman – smart, courageous and feisty. She was an avid gardener, committed volunteer and devoted member of the Catholic Church. She walked firmly in her faith her entire life.

Her greatest treasure in life was her beloved family and her family was blessed as she was the best Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma they could ask for – the heart of the family. Her legacy lives on in each and every one of her family members and she will be remembered for her great care, strength, independence and love. We all learned so much from her and could always count on her being there for us, no matter what. We will treasure her memory forever.

She was predeceased by her parents John and Marie Yurkowski, her treasured daughter Lynne (1972) and her beloved husband Fred (1977).

She will be lovingly remembered by her children – Rick (Natalie) Stefanyk, Lorna (Stan) Landry, Sid (Karran) Stefanyk, Laureen (Dale) Mintenko; her grandchildren Kristy Landry, Shannon Landry (Sean Annicchiarico), Colin Stefanyk (Alyson Chambers), Dani Landry, Janelle Stefanyk (Cory Tennant), Tom (Amber) Stefanyk, Kessie Stefanyk (Jenae Culp), Kyle Stefanyk (Katie Liberatore), Kale Mintenko and Mick Mintenko; her great- grandchildren Cohen and Foster Annicchiarico, Forrest Tennant and Jack Stefanyk; her brother Ken (Madelien) Yurkowski and sister Marlene (Dan) Waslyk; as well as many other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the St. Margaret Catholic Church, 5509- 50th Street, Rimbey, Alberta on November 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Les Drewicki officiating. The Interment Service will follow at the Bentley Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations in Joanne’s honor can be made to the Joslyn Snow Memorial Project, care of the Wolf Creek Public Schools (will go to playground equipment) at Box 299, Bentley, AB T0C 0J0, or to a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne Marion (Yurkowski) Stefanyk, please visit our floral store.