Phyllis Prokipchuk

It is with a heavy heart that our family said goodbye to our dear, beloved Phyllis. She passed peacefully on May 23 at home, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 78.

Phyllis was the second of seven children, predeceased by her parents, Agnes and Wilfred and her sister, Anita, as well as her lifelong best friends, Doremis and Tanis.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 40 years, Peter; her children, Randy (Susan), Murray, Jeff (Sharyn) and Kelly (Shaun); grandchildren Matthew, James, Erika, Jake, Lia, Maegan, and Logan; two great grandsons; along with her sisters, Rosemary (Orville) and Brenda (Wilf); brothers, David (Mae), Lawrence (Marion) and Ed (Bonnie); numerous nieces and nephews who were very fond of Auntie Phyllis, cousins, and many loyal friends she gathered throughout her years.

Phyllis was the most considerate woman who cared deeply for those in her life. She always had an ear to lend, patience and tolerance beyond belief, and acceptance for all, never judging. No one was ever beneath her, and she would do all in her power to help. Phyllis had always been a warrior, a pillar of strength and resilience, and of course, a little bit stubborn.

Phyllis was born and raised in Shaunavon, SK and lived there most of her childhood. She always loved school and was smart as a whip, even skipping Grade 10 to graduate early. At 18, she moved to Winnipeg and lived with her sister, Anita and family. She had a few different jobs, always dealing with people in some way. She met her first husband and was blessed with her four children. They moved from Winnipeg to Saskatoon and back again, finally settling in Transcona. As things don’t always work out in life, Phyllis became a single mother when her kids were young, and she persevered with the strength and resilience that she kept right up until her last days. She would sometimes work 3 jobs at a time to make ends meet, and always made sure her kids had all they needed, especially love.

A lot of summers with the kids were spent traveling back to Saskatchewan. She’d pack up 4 kids and hop on the Greyhound until she got her license at 32 and bought her first car, a Ford Galaxy 500, in which she got her first speeding ticket. We’d drive to Auntie Brenda’s farm and then make our way into Shaunavon or the “Dam” to stay with Grandpa.

Phyllis was a master seamstress, taught by her mom to sew at a very early age. She started sewing clothes for her dolly, then for herself, her siblings and friends. From everyday clothes and wedding gowns, to curtains and furniture covers, if she dreamed it, she could make it. Once she had her kids, she made them clothes and Halloween costumes, then used her amazing skills to make money to support her family.

Phyllis was very well known in the Transcona community. She worked at the Transcona Legion #7 for over 40 years and was known for wearing many different hats. She made many long-lasting relationships, lots becoming like family, and was very respected by all who knew her. She always took the time to learn about people and their families, wanting to know all about them. She sincerely cared for all, from the people at the Legion to the cashiers at any local grocery store or bank, to the nurses and doctors who cared for her. She was definitely a people person!

At home, she welcomed all of her kids’ friends in. She treated most like they were her own kids, offering advice, a hug, a meal, or a kick in the butt, if they needed. She became known as “Mom” to many.

In 1980, she met the love of her life, Peter. They had many wonderful times over the 40 years they were together. They took many trips over the years, every year to Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat to see brothers and sisters, bigger trips to Mexico and Arizona. At least once a year they travelled to Colorado to see Jeff and his family, to Alberta to see Kelly and her family, and a few times to BC to see Randy. Family was everything to Phyllis!

She loved being with Pete, fussing over him, always worrying what to make him for dinner (even though he never cared what was on the menu) and making sure to call him if she was out and about, just to check in. Pete did the same for Phyllis, first being a “dad” to her kids and later on, making sure she always ate and took her pills. They always had a lot of fun together, many laughs and made many memories. They always ended each night with a goodnight kiss and “Love You.” They had mutual respect, never fought, and loved each other with all of their hearts.

Besides crosswords, which Phyllis did every day for all of her life, her biggest passion was gardening! She loved flowers, in the garden and in the house. She loved going to the greenhouses in the spring with her sister, Rosemary, to pick out the new seasons goodies to bring home and plant. She always grew the most amazing sweet peas, her clematis reached the roof and her roses were her pride and joy. She could tell you the scientific name, what they were called to everyone else, what colours they came in, where they had to grow. If you needed to know something about it, she could tell you.
We can picture her right now in Heaven, in the most glorious garden of flowers!

We are so very grateful to everyone, especially to her precious granddaughter Erika, who had a very special bond with Grandma. Erika has been a saving grace, there every day for Grandma, no matter what, helping with appointments, medicine and just taking care of her and Grandpa. Grandma loved you beyond measure, Erika!
Special thank you to the St. Boniface Palliative Care Team, Dr. Hiebert, Dr. Sharma, and the nurses.

Special thank you to her nurse practitioner, Nicole Bennett and the team at Access Transcona. Nicole, we know you had a special place in your heart for our mom.
Thank you to Voyage Funeral Home.

Thank you to all who sent food and condolences, your generosity and kindness is welcome during this very difficult time.

The immediate family will be having a small service, with plans for a celebration of life in the near future.