Obituary of Pollyanna Hawryluk

Paraska, better known as Pollyanna, was born August 2, 1925 on a farm southwest of Fosston, SK. the youngest of six children of Ukrainian immigrants Danylo and Sophia Zazula. Pollyanna attained a Grade 8 education at Zazula School.

In 1941, at the age of 15 after her mother passed away, Pollyanna left school and became the homemaker for her father and brothers.  In 1950, Pollyanna moved to her brother Fred’s home, a couple miles away, after the passing of

his wife Kate to assist in the care of his two young daughters, and as a result, formed a special lifelong bond with her nieces. She continued in this caregiver role until her marriage on October 12, 1957 to Paul Hawryluk of Quill Lake.

Pollyanna settled into a farming life with Paul on their mixed farm northeast of Quill Lake. Pollyanna was not a stranger to hard work and shared the workload of milking cows, and raising chickens and pigs, as well as planting a huge vegetable garden and then preserving the vegetables and fruits. She made the best cinnamon buns, perogies, cabbage rolls  and borscht, and could make a meal from scratch in no time flat, always ensuring that guests did not leave her house hungry.

In 1980, they retired to Nipawin to be closer to their grandchildren, and Pollyanna, now better known as Baba, took on the role of a babysitter to all four of her grandchildren. She had a strong devotion to her family and took an interest in all of her grandchildren’s activities, encouraging their educational pursuits and was proud and supportive of their travels, endeavors and accomplishments. She was thrilled when she became a Babusha to Ainsley and Mila. In 2008, Pollyanna and Paul moved to Pioneer House, an apartment complex. For approximately 9 months Pollyanna took up residence at Pineview Lodge Nursing Home in 2010 while she recovered from a massive heart attack. She was one of very few residents that has “walked out” to resume living in her own home.

She and Paul continued to reside in Pioneer House until 2016 when Paul passed away, and Pollyanna once again became a resident of Pineview Lodge, where she was residing at the time of her passing on April 18, 2018.

Pollyanna was a spiritual person and her faith persevered throughout her life as a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the Fosston and Wadena areas and then in Nipawin, where for many years she and Paul ensured that the church and its linens were always ready for service.

She was predeceased by her husband Paul, her oldest granddaughter Erinn, her parents, all her siblings and their spouses, Anne (Harry) Zaporosky, Steve (Anne), Fred (Kate), Mike and Paul, nephews Mervin, Steve, Alex, Liz, Metro, Rose, Ruth, and great-nephews Lenny and Brent.

Pollyanna will be greatly missed by daughter Stacey (Brian), three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren Tammy (Paul) and their children Ainsley and Mila, Cory (Marissa) and Angela (Jeremy), and her sister-in-law, Anne (Stan) Michaluk. Her memory will be treasured by special nieces and their families,
Jo-Ann (Paul) and Darlene (Murray); as well as numerous extended family members on both the Zazula and Hawryluk sides of the family.

She will be sadly missed but her memory will live on with all of us.

Vichnaya Pam’yat! Eternal Memory.