Sonia Zenovia Hrynkiw Simes was born in Canora, SK on Dec. 1, 1934 to two Ukrainian pioneers, Helen Yaholnitsky and Metro Hrynkiw. Sonia and her sister Hope moved to Yorkton after the family finished farming in Arran and attended high school there with great success. Spirited and determined, Sonia set her sights on higher education at University of Regina in an era when fewer women did so. She graduated as a Registered Laboratory Technologist, interned at Saskatoon Hospital in 1956, and worked in Canora, Wadena, Dauphin and the provincial lab in The Pas, MB. She was active in her union and culminated her 35 year career by delivering the Commencement Address to new technologist graduates in 1992 as Honorary President MSMLT. While working in Canora she met lifelong friends including the love of her life, Jim Simes from Sturgis, her best friend of sixty years. Those were the fun times of footloose and fancy free; baseball, bonspieling and attending dances at Crystal Lake, her favourite place in the world. They were engaged at Crystal Lake and married here at St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church. Together they had two children; Pat and Dave. We camped and traveled north, east and west in Canada. Mom was busy with sewing, curling, golf and Toastmasters and volunteered in minor hockey, Kinettes & K40's. In later years she advocated for cancer patients in support groups. Adventurers, Sonia & Jim traveled to Barbados and Cuba before finding their winter getaway of 30 years, Los Picos in Bucerias. A legendary cook and baker, Sonia loved to entertain and passed many an evening there and at their cabin at Crystal Lake with friends and family. Many of our fondest memories are from around the table, drinking Jim's home-made wine, eating Sonia's overnight buns and swapping stories! In her final days, Sonia was surrounded by family and friends while under palliative care at Yorkton Regional Hospital. She fought lung cancer and breast cancer for 18 years, finally succumbing to pancreatic cancer March 1, 2017 at age 82. We thank the many medical professionals who cared for her throughout her long battles. She believed in our health care system. Predeceased by her parents Helen Zenovia (nee Yaholnitsky) & Metro Hrynkiw and her beloved Aunt Doris (nee Labiuk) & Uncle Bill Hrynkiw. Survived by her husband of 58 years, James Obert Simes; children David Michael Simes & wife Karen Driedger, Patricia Yvonne Simes Saumier & husband Steve Saumier; grand-daughter Mollie Jordan Saumier; sister Hope Emilia (nee Hrynkiw) & husband Jim Sytnick and their children Karen & partner BJ and Ken Sytnick. Sonia welcomed into her life; Steve's children Ryan & wife Lisa and their children Zachary, Reece and Cole; Robin; Sarah Rose Snively & husband Brady and daughter Bryn. Rest in peace Sonia, you will be missed. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, March 4, 2017 from St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fr. Francis Hengen as Celebrant. The Lectors were Pat Simes Saumier and Floydey Wooley. The cross bearer was Linda Michaud, the gift bearers were Linda & Mitch Michaud. Pianist, Diana Hornung led members of the Parish Choir and the congregation in the hymns, 'How Great Thou Art', Psalm 23, 'Peace Is Flowing Like A River', 'Hail Mary, Gentle Woman', 'Song of the Angels' and 'Amazing Grace'. The interment took place in the Garden of Memories at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with daughter Pat as the urn bearer. Condolences can be left at . Memorials were to the Canadian Cancer Society.
