Mildred Louise "Dolly" Vatamaniuck (nee Rodine) passed away after a short illness, on April 12, 2013 at the Weyburn General Hospital, at the age of 88 years. Mildred was born at the family farm, near Hume on March 21, 1925 to Albert and Faye Rodine. When her oldest brother, John, held her, they all called her a little doll. From that day on she was called "Dolly"! These were hard years and the men of the family took care of the cattle and did the grain farming. When she was three years old, her mother, Faye, was stricken by polio which left her paralyzed. Grandma Rodine's health deteriorated to the point where Grandpa had to spend more time providing care and seeking various treatments. Growing up Dolly shared a room with her siblings and had to help with the chores. These included doing dishes, cleaning the house, feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, gardening, feeding the hogs, and picking beetles off potatoes. She completed her schooling, Grades 1 through 10, at the Hume School. She later took secretarial courses at the Weyburn School of Commerce. It was common for threshing crews to arrive every fall to help with harvest. One year, Bill Vatamaniuck showed up and it was "love at first sight." They courted and eventually married, at the family farm, on May 1, 1947 where they continued to live until 1957. Four of the boys born to Dolly and Bill were raised on the family farm, until it was sold to the Haupstein family. They moved to Weyburn and built a new home on Elizabeth St. In 1965, she had her youngest son, Kelly, and continued to live there until the time of her death. Dolly worked in a Secretarial Pool, which provided assistance to the late Tommy Douglas. After she married, she was kept busy at home raising five boys. Dolly had the "Gift of Service" and loved to work with seniors providing Homecare. Dolly was a tremendous home maker, wife, and mother. She loved to cook, knit, sew and enjoyed reading. All of her boys were spoiled with her butter tarts, cinnamon rolls, and fresh buns that were always available with those wonderful meals of roast beef, turkey and cabbage rolls. The grandchildren especially enjoyed her "jam-jam" cookies. She collected newspaper articles, obituaries and cards from friends and relatives. In fact she kept all the Christmas cards, birthday cards, letters and other notes written to her by all the boys, friends and relatives. Dolly was active in the Weyburn Free Methodist Church. She was involved in many activities including teaching Sunday school, Christian Youth Crusaders (CYC), and singing in the church choir. She was active in women's ministries in various capacities as well as attending regular Bible study groups. Dolly's love, compassion and kindness were her most notable and cherished characteristics. She loved to smile and have fun throughout her life. The family would like to thank Dr. Stewart, nurses and staff of the Weyburn General Hospital who provided compassionate care to our mother during her short illness. A funeral service was held Wednesday, April 17 at 2:00 PM from the Weyburn Free Methodist Church, Weyburn with Pastor Jay Mowchenko and Pastor Jody Pfeifer officiating. Pallbearers were Chip Vatamaniuck, Matthew Vatamaniuck, Kevin Vatamaniuck, John Vatamaniuck, Darcy Vatamaniuck, Jody Vatamaniuck, David Vatamaniuck, Bob Vatamaniuck, and Jeff Vatamaniuck. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Donation in memory of Dolly may be made to the Weyburn Free Methodist Church, Weyburn. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels, Weyburn, 306-842-5432
