Date of Birth: April 26, 1940
Date of Death: August 1, 2026
BODNAR – Mrs. Sylvia Bodnar, wife of the late John Bodnar of Yorkton, formerly of the Buchanan district passed away on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Sylvia was 86 years of age.
Sylvia was born on April 26, 1940, to George and Mary Serniak (Buratenski) in the Buchanan area. She attended Chernowitz and Olecksenie Schools. In 1958, on June 12, Sylvia married John Bodnar and started their home on the land that they purchased. Sylvia worked side-by-side with John and they raised two daughters, Corrine and Sheila.
Sylvia loved taking care of her yard, raising a garden that involved many flowers! She enjoyed cooking, baking, and hosting friends and family with coffee or lunch. Sylvia belonged to the ladies aide of Sheho for 10 years, and was also a member of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Sheho.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren whether they were speed swimming, attending the Ukrainian day camp during the summer, attending dance recitals and competitions, or skating carnivals. She really enjoyed the birthday celebrations that were held for the grandchildren. Whether the party was at the lake, at the farm or at their home she was always there with containers of baking, as well as salads and casseroles.
In 2006, Sylvia and John retired and moved to Yorkton. They joined the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church and enjoyed retirement. Days were filled with coffee row, playing 3-spot, and dancing at the New Horizons Seniors every Friday night. Sylvia continued gardening (both flowers and vegetables) and was an avid participant with the Yorkton in Bloom.
Sylvia is survived by her daughters: Corinne (Richard) Norman and Sheila (Ed) Ferrier; grandchildren, Chantel (Derek) McDougall, Danielle Norman, Turner (Ali) Norman, Jasmine Ferrier (Marcus Langan); great-grandchildren Kalynn, Hayden, Octavia, Aurora, and Theodorian; and friend Ed Mead.
Sylvia is predeceased by her daughter Vivian Marie (1958), husband of 58 years John in 2016, father George Serniak in 1982, mother Mary in 1996, brother Arthur in 1992, and fiancé Gary Zimmer in 2024.
She will be sadly missed by her family and friends, but lovingly remembered by all those who knew her.
Prayers were held on Sunday, Aug. 9 and the funeral service on Monday, Aug.10, 2026 both from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Very Reverend Father Roman Kocur officiating. Grandson, Turner Norman served as the crossbearer. Ed Ferrier, Richard Norman, Ed Mead were honourary casket bearers. Interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Chantel McDougall, Jasmine Ferrier, Derek McDougall, Marcus Langan, Frank Hudzinski and Randy Zimmer serving as the casketbearers.
Вічная Пам’ять – Eternal Memory Memorial donations in memory of Sylvia may be made to New Horizon Seniors as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family on Sylvia’s tribute page at baileysfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home.
