Date of Birth: August 1, 1924
Date of Death: December 27, 2019
Mary (Boyko) Soltys was born on Aug. 1, 1924 in the Goodeve area. Mary was the fourth child born to Mike and Sophie (Piasta) Boyko. She lived on the family farm 2.5 miles northwest of Goodeve.
She attended Stryj School, a one room schoolhouse with grades one to eight. At age 18, Mary ventured to Toronto and found employment. When she returned, Mary met her future husband, Mike Soltys, at a local dance. They were married on Oct. 19, 1947 at Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ituna. They began their married life on NW 11-24-9 West of the 2nd in a one room dwelling until their future home was completed.
Mike and Mary were blessed with four children: Darlene, Garry, Bev and Donna. Besides raising her children, Mary worked very hard on the farm milking cows, shipping cream, raising chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigs, and tending to a very large garden. In 1963 Mary was offered employment at the local Red and White Store, where she worked for many years. In 1981, Mary took a training course to provide meals on wheels to seniors in Goodeve.
Mary was very involved with the Goodeve 4H Homecraft Club, sharing her sewing skills. She was also active in curling, either playing or just watching. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League, the Goodeve Ladies Community Club, the Blue Bonnet Club and later supported the Goodeve Community Center.
In 1988, Mike passed away and Mary continued to live on the family farm where she continued to grow her large garden and help her son Garry with farming.
Mary was a very generous person. She would bake pies, doughnuts and other goodies and give them to anyone that came to her home. Mary’s greatest joy was when her grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit. She always had scuffles and jam jams ready to hand out.
In November of 2017, Mary moved to the Bentley Retirement Home in Yorkton where she claimed she lived like a queen, enjoying daily activities and good meals. Although she loved living in Yorkton, she looked forward to road trips to the farm, especially during harvest.
The family was blessed to have Mary spend Christmas Eve and Boxing Day with them where the evenings were filled with love, laughter and reminiscing. She later passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Mike, her brothers George and Matt, and sister Rose. Mary leaves to cherish her memory her children: Darlene (Garry) Dubiel, Trevor, Shauna, Bryan (Tamara); Garry (Clare) Soltys, Garett (Erin), Graham (Katelyn), Jordan (Virginia); Bev (Larry) Pilipow, Kerri Ann (Ian), Tyler (Amanda); Donna (Randy) Flatt, Terra (Kevin), Tracy (Daryl); and 14 great grandchildren; sister Annie Dumalski, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Prayer services were held on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 at 7 p.m. from St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Goodeve. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 at 10 a.m. St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church with Rev. Father Jeffrey Stephaniuk as the Celebrant.
Arrangements were by Bailey’s Funeral Home, Melville.