Mrs. Emily Slobodzian, 92, of the Ituna Pioneer Lodge, passed away on Thursday April 20, 2017 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Emily was born on the family farm in the Hubbard District to William and Mary Boyarski. She was the second eldest of seven siblings. Emily grew up during the depression helping on the farm and looking after her younger brothers and sisters. Emily attended Dramague School and later got a job as a waitress in a restaurant in Balcarres. She later returned and on February 8, 1951, in Hubbard, she married her sweetheart Paul Slobodzian. They moved a mile north and started their new life on the family farm. Between breaking the land and getting established, time well passed. On August 25, 1961 they welcomed the arrival of their only child Grant Slobodzian. Emily was active in the community working with the Hubbard ladies auxiliary, helping with local events such as sports days and curling events. Emily enjoyed the weekends, going fishing and picnicking in the Qu'Appelle Valley. She enjoyed her life on the farm and working with cattle, her garden and flower beds. She had a giving and worrying nature, always putting others ahead of herself, always worrying if the family ate. In retirement, Emily had 3 favourite things, her granddaughter Tania, bingo and Chinese food. Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her granddaughter and taking her camping or traveling with the motorhome. Any excuse to come visit or have her visit was a priority. She loved bingo in Hubbard and Ituna and after would travel to Fort Qu'Appelle, Punnichy, Melville and Yorkton. After returning home from an evening of playing bingo and not winning she would say, "That darn bingo, I'm not going anymore!", but the next day if there was a bingo, she would be getting ready to go again. Emily and Paul were involved with the Hubbard Golden Age Social Club and enjoyed the many events or road trips with the club. Emily and Paul remained on the farm until the fall of 2012 when they moved to Sunshine Manor in Ituna. Paul moved to the Ituna Pioneer Lodge in June 2013. Emily joined him in September 2015 and resided there until her passing. Emily was predeceased by her parents William and Mary, younger sister Julia Boa of Regina, eldest brother Andrew of Edmonton, younger brother Adolph of Toronto and husband Paul in March 2016. She leaves to mourn her son Grant Slobodzian (Sharna Sernowski) of Yorkton, granddaughter Tania Kozie-Slobodzian of Kelowna, BC, sister Stella Hall of Calgary, brother Stanley Boyarski (Ann Borweitz) of Regina, brother Walter Boyarski (Amber Hansen) of Ituna and many Nieces and Nephews. The Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, April 25 at 1:00 pm at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church in Ituna, SK with Rev. Fr. Albert Schmitz officiating. The organist, Paulette van der Helm, led the choir. The interment followed at the Ituna Roman Catholic Cemetery with Kyle, Kevin and Sheldon Boyarski serving as pall bearers. In honour of Emily, donations may be made to the United Way as gifts of remembrance.
