Sophie (Palczak) Ostopowich

Sophie Ostopowich

            Peacefully on Saturday April 16, 2016, Sophie Ostopowich, 90 years old passed away at the Portage General Hospital.

            Funeral service will be held in the chapel of the Omega Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Father Michael Tkachuk officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

            Sophie was born on December 27, 1925 in Glenella, Manitoba to Mike and Mary Palzchak. She was the 3rd eldest of 8 children. Sophie was christened at the St. Georges Church in Alonsa and later attended Mellonville School.

            Sophie married Steve Ostopowich on August 28, 1943 and they were married for 63 years prior to Steve’s passing in 2006. Together they had 2 children, Edward and Verna. In 1944, they purchased a farm in the Edwin area and farmed until 1992. In anticipation of retirement, they purchased a home in Portage and lived there for many years.

            Sophie was always very active with the Ukrainian Catholic Church as well as the community. In 1965, she became a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and sat on the executive for many years. She also became a member of the Prosvita Club in 1978. Later in 1986, Sophie became a member of the Herman Prior Centre and eventually became the head cook, cooking her first meal of many on April 1, 1986 and over the next 10 years. She also catered many weddings and banquets and was always known for her perogies and cabbage rolls. She retired from the Herman Prior Centre on December 2, 1996.

            In 1999, Sophie joined the Ukrainian Connections and worked along with others to bring the Orthodox Heritage Church to Fort la Reine Museum.

            Sophie was a hard worker. She was always busy helping Steve on the farm, cooking, cleaning and gardening. She also worked at the Residential School in Portage for 10 years cleaning. She thoroughly enjoyed dancing and she and Steve attended many dances over the years following Kuzyk’s Orchestra. She was a very giving person and would not let you leave her house without offering you something to eat as well as ensuring you had some to take home. Sophie also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

            Sophie was predeceased by her parents Mike and Mary, her husband Steve, brothers Frank, Stanley and Henry, Sisters Elsie, Frances, Evelyn, granddaughter Shelley, daughter in laws, Irma and Connie and great- great granddaughter Madison. She leaves to mourn her passing her son Ed, daughter Verna Knight (Pete), sister Kay Sczesny, granddaughters, Sharon (Chris), Brenda (Brad) and Debbie and grandson Shane ( Kari ), great grandchildren Devin (Stephanie), Tiana (Tanner), Connor, Daniel , Rhett and Drew.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 108B Saskatchewan Ave E, Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 0L1.

            A tribute DVD in memory of Sophie will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home, condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8, 1-800-303-4621 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com “Dedicated to those we serve”.

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