Mrs. Sophie Byblow of Regina, formerly of Yorkton and the Whitesand district, bellowed wife of the late Michael J. Byblow peacefully entered eternal life at home in Regina on June 2, 2017 at the age of 95 after a period of declining health. Sophie was born April 24, 1922 in the Drobot district of Buchanan. She was the 5th of 13 children born to Prokop and Annie (nee Bilyk) Zaharia. She attended Dobronovitz School. As a young child she was given the task of caring for her younger siblings. Sophie was kind, caring and was thought of as a mother by many. As a teenager Sophie worked various jobs for local families outside the home. Babysitting, housekeeping and many of the various tasks that farming entailed. She took a job for John and Maria Pawliw who took her to Whitesand church. It was there she met the love of her life Michael J. Byblow. Sophie and Mike courted for 3 years and on August 12, 1945 they were married. Sophie left the family farm to start her life with Mike on his family homestead in the Whitesand district by Springside, SK. She worked hand in hand with Mike on the farm. In 1960 they adopted a daughter Donna. They brought her home on their 15th wedding anniversary. Their family was complete. They built their dream home in Yorkton, SK in the late 70's and in 1981 they moved into the city to retire. Sophie was an amazing cook who could whip up a meal in a blink of an eye. She was an avid reader and read many books. She grew large gardens and beautiful flowers and was known or having a green thumb. She did lots of canning, baking breads and cooking things from scratch. One of her favorite pastimes was picking mushrooms in the bush. She could spot a morel a mile away. She loved to dress up for special occasions and always had a excellent sense of fashion and enjoyed the latest styles. She really enjoyed watching her TV shows and had the ability to watch 2 soap operas at the same time by flipping channels. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She enjoyed when company came for drinks and a good game of canasta or hola. Later in Life she was blessed with 2 granddaughter's Shantell and Breyll whom she adored. In 1985 Donna and the girls lived with her for 4 years where she helped raise her granddaughter's. She celebrated almost 52 love filled years of marriage and cared for her husband when he took ill. In 1997 she became a widow. Sophie stayed in Yorkton and spent a lot of her spare time with her best friend and cousin Mary Popowich. The two would spend hours shopping, visiting and talking on the phone. They loved to talk about the latest gossip and reminiscing about the good old days. She had an excellent sense of humor and the ability to make you laugh till it hurt. Sophie spent much of her later years going to Regina to visit her daughter and grandchildren. In 2002 she was blessed with her first great grandchild and started spending long periods of time in Regina visiting. In 2009 she moved to Regina permanently to live with her daughter Donna. She was blessed with 7 great grandchildren and loved all the time she got to spend with them. She shared lots of wisdom and stories that we will always cherish. Sophie's health declined and she peacefully entered eternal life at home in Regina on June 2, 2017 at the age of 95. The family takes comfort in many fond memories of her. Sophie was predeceased by her husband Michael J. Byblow her parents Prokop and Annie Zaharia her siblings John, Metro, Mary, Katie, Sally, Bill, Steve, Nettie and Orest. She leaves to mourn her daughter Antonette Donna Byblow. Granddaughter's Shantell (Tim) Coleman and Breyll (Andy) Ulmer. Great grandchildren Aiden, Kearin, Kalan, Kyree, Kai, Kaden, and Kova. Sisters Anne Cholod, Marlene Zaharia and Iris Kalinowski. Sister in laws Anne Zaharia, Sr. Frances Byblow, Theresa Herrick, Bernice Biblow, cousin Mary Popowich and various nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Rest in peace, Sophie. Prayers were held on Thursday, June 8, 2017 and the Funeral Service on Friday, June 9, 2017, both services at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Father Methodius Kushko, C.Ss.R. officiating. Ed Pindus, assisted by members of the parish choir led in the singing of the responses. The farewell hymns played were 'Ave Maria' and 'On The Wings of a Dove'. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Andrew Ulmer, Tim Coleman, Aiden Ulmer, Kearin Colemen, Joe Swejda and Dale Terry serving as the casket bearers. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Alzheimer's Society to a charity of Choice as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mary Popowich her life long friend and cousin who was like a sister to her. Her sister Anne Cholod for the numerous visits in her final days. Joe and Agnes Swejda for going above and beyond as neighbours which helped her remain home as long as she could. Gracie Chorney for always bringing the church bulletin even after she had moved. Father Kushko for doing home visits so she could still have communion when she was unable to go to church. And thanks who all came today to celebrate her life.
