At the age of 94 1/2 years to the day, Lydia Agnes Borys, formerly of Colfax, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 7, 2016 in her home at Parkway Lodge, Weyburn. Lydia is survived by: her son Phil and wife Diane of Weyburn, her daughter Bonnie Borys-Bresee and husband Peter Bresee of Cochrane AB, and her daughter-in-law Bonnie Borys of Regina; five grandchildren: Lindsay Sterling, Sheena Kopec (Gary) and Chantel Temple (Jay) all of Weyburn and area – Sara Maynard (Joshua) of Virden, MN and Mykael Borys (Joanna) of Regina; nine great grandchildren: Deveney, Hayden, Malley, Kian – Wylie, Mehki, Brinley – Lux, Crue – Baby Borys (due Jan. 4th, Grandpa Pat’s birthday); brother Wes Schultz, Weyburn; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Lydia was predeceased by her husband, Alexander, June 20, 1996 and her oldest son, Patrick, July 29, 2008; her parents, William and Bertha Schultz; oldest brother, Leon; three sisters, Olga in infancy, Gunda Busch and Alma Schultz; her parents-in-law, Peter and Anne Borys; and many sisters/brothers-in-laws. Lydia was born in Yellow Grass on May 7, 1922, to German immigrant farmers of Russia. She grew up on farms in Yellow Grass, Lang and Colfax and attended the country school of Kilmarnock, near Colfax. She worked at many farm homes in Yellow Grass before going to Regina in 1940 where she started working at Simpson Sears, and held an administrative clerk position for several years. She had her own radio show at a local station where she sang with the likes of Hank Snow. She started dating Alex, who had returned home from serving in WWII. They were married August 4, 1949 by Rev. R.J. Schactel at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Regina. They lived, for one year, with his parents on their farm at Colfax before moving into their own small farm home in a nearby but secluded area for a while. Then, they and Alex’s brothers and father, built a big farmhouse next door to his parents, where it became a colourful and welcoming yard, and they farmed there for over 30 years. In late 1980, upon retirement, Alex and Lydia moved into Weyburn into a beautiful Spanish style home and resided there until August 1995 whereby they bought a new condo that they could make their own and lessen the burden. Mom lived there until November 2014, when she moved into Parkway Lodge, where she lived until her sudden passing. Lydia nursed her husband for 5 1/2 years through his cancer and passing on June 20, 1996. During the time of Alex’s remission, Lydia had cancer of her own. She boldly fought her way through this, with her husband at her side. But, she always remained Alex’s caregiver, as he had crippling rheumatoid arthritis for 35 years. This was all a courageous battle for the both of them. Lydia belonged to the Cedoux Altar Society and was President for 20 years. She taught Catechism and Confirmation classes for years, as well as doing readings at Mass and singing each week in the choir. In Colfax, she was an active community member and leader of the people and activities. She also would take on side jobs selling Tupperware and classic kitchen products. Lydia was correspondent for Colfax and Cedoux news, and then the Social and Personal Column for the Weyburn Review for more than 30 years. Over and above her love and caring for her three children and her extended family, Lydia gave of herself way more than she ever received. She was ALWAYS there for anyone and everyone. She continued to keep her home beautiful, immaculate and welcoming. Her garden was always large and her yard in order, with many flowers and rock gardens. She worked hard at all times, milking cows, raising chickens, turkeys, geese and pigs. She did lots of canning, baking of cakes, bread, buns, pies, and cookies and embraced the Ukrainian tradition of pirogies, cabbage rolls and ceremonial wheat, along with her own German heritage. Lydia was a driver, a fixer, an encourager, a cheerleader, a shoulder to hug, to cry, to laugh, to rub. She was not just an incredible and talented woman, but an incredible and dedicated mother to her three children and mother to many others, too, who called her “Mom”. She was a loyal, loving, caring and devoted wife for all of the nearly 47 years her and Alex were married until his passing. Lydia played hard, too. She and Alex loved to travel throughout Canada and the United States, by car and by airplane. And after his passing, her 75th birthday trip to Nashville, Branson, Pigeonford and Memphis, that she called a trip of a lifetime with her daughter, and visits to her daughter’s and “favourite” son-in-law’s in Alberta, kept her traveling spirit alive. But, her pride and joy were the gifts her two sons gave her, her five grandchildren. Her eyes would light up knowing that her and Alex’s legacy would live on. Later, her great grandchildren gave her the confidence and solace that she really had succeeded in life. She loved her card games and bingo. She was an incredible singer, yodeller and guitarist. She sang for showers, weddings, prayers for funerals and other functions, sometimes creating a new song and words for those requests. She played hard with her children too, always game for anything. But her laughing, singing and guitar playing with them, could be beat by no other. She was such an incredible, magnificent and beautiful lady, inside and out!!! Her personality, her sincerity, her faith, her devotion, her love, her order, her guidance, her direction, her comfort; were the glue for the family’s happy home life. Prayers were held Wednesday, November 9th and the funeral was Thursday, November 10th, both at the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church with Father Francis Plaparampil Celebrant. Her daughter, Bonnie Borys-Bresee gave the Eulogy at the Mass; her granddaughter Sara Maynard and niece Joanne Bresciani gave readings and intercessions; with the internment held at the Cedoux Cemetery, Cedoux. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels, Weyburn. Pallbearers were her nephew Gordon Busch, nephew and Godson Ed Bachman, Godson Ron Arndt, cousin Daryl Borys, great nephews Ken and Mark Schneider. Honorary Pall Bearers were cousins Wes Sagert and Daryl Yakimoski, nephew Gerry Goski, and all those in attendance.
Lydia’s family wish to thank the Parkway Lodge for the kindness and care for the past two years that she lived there, St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church members for the services and luncheon, Fletcher’s Funeral Chapels, the keepers of the Cedoux Cemetery, the many relatives and friends over the years, and the Coteau Manor residents. Those wishing to express their sympathy may donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, in her memory.
“Dear Mother, I understand you in this song.
‘Cause you taught me how to be right in a world gone wrong.
I recall a time when you and I would talk a little more
To each other face to face, through love and war
When I knew there’d always be an Open Door, to me.
But I know that home isn’t just a place I leave behind
Its with me everywhere I go when I close my eyes.
It ain’t how long you live, it’s how you live your life
But you burnt bright for long, until the grave.
I will neither shy away from the light nor waste my days,
As you taught me, I will use my time.
I know someday I’ll be with you in the by-and-by.
Dear Mother, you were an Open Door, to me.”
