We Remember

BOYKO, Kay

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Kay Boyko was, as she happily told everyone, “born in the year of the Titanic” – on May 16, 1912. In nearly 104 years of life, she touched and inspired countless people with her grace, dignity, hospitality, wit and compassion and her incredible memory.  Her beauty (inside and out) grew with each passing year.  Katie passed away in Kelowna at Hospice House on Sunday, May 1st.

Katie was the second eldest of 13 children born to Metro and Mary Hnidy in Wakaw, Saskatchewan. As a teenager she fell in love with the love of her life, John Boyko, and by his side they worked and lived in Wakaw, Prince Albert, Calgary, Penticton, Vancouver and Kelowna.

During the depression years, when crops would not grow, Katie, John and their daughter Elsie left the farm to build, operate and live in a small store in Prince Albert.   Children would flock to the store for the generous-sized ice cream cones!  After leaving Prince Albert in 1948, John and Kay built homes and managed properties in Penticton and Vancouver, while Kay also worked in Canada Safeway stores, retiring in 1963.  Kay and John eventually retired to Kelowna where they enjoyed a full retirement life before John passed away in 1991.

In addition to her kind and supportive nature, Kay will be remembered for the thousands of beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs she painted in her retirement years (completing the final dozen in her one hundredth year), for her incredible memory, and for her love of playing cards and hearing a good joke.

Kay is survived by her daughter Elsie Boyko, her baby sister Ellen Waugh, her brother Anton Hnidy, and her sisters-in-laws Eileen Hnidy and Daisy Hnidy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.   She was predeceased by her sisters Alice Lazarowich, Mary and Martha Hnidy, Mabel Lucuik and Nettie Kochan and her brothers Metro, George, Mike, Bill and John Hnidy.

Special thanks are extended to Dr. Green for her loving care and concern for Katie, and to the staff and facilities of the Central Okanagan Hospice House in Kelowna. In lieu of flowers, donations to support the continued great work of Hospice House are welcome at www.hospicecoha.org/

A Prayer Service will be held Sunday, May 8 at 7:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Katie’s life on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 10:00 am both at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

Prayer Service
Sunday, May 8, 2016

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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In lieu of flowers, donations to support the continued great work of Hospice House are welcome
Donations to support the continued great work of Hospice House are welcome Link: www.hospicecoha.org

 


 


Condolences

  • Betty Baker says:
    May 3, 2016 at 9:52 am

    What a wonderful lady and so talented. She will be missed by many. Although I did not know her personally and I know her daughter, Elsie. Elsie was a God send person caring for her Mother each and every day.

    Kay sounded like a lady that I wish I had met but I will some day in heaven.

    God be with you Elsie during this time.

    Sincerely, betty

    Reply
    • Irene Dent says:
      May 3, 2016 at 1:57 pm

      My thoughts are with you at this time. We all have to loose our mother which does not seem fair, however Elsie you were very fortunate to have her for so many years. My memories of Kay go back to when I was about 6 years old and Elsie became my friend and still is a very dear friend. I spent many hours and nights in her company and would not visit Kelowna without a Tea Party.

      Reply
  • Debbie, Darryl and Isaac says:
    May 3, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    Elsie and Ellen, it was an honour to meet Kay. We will miss that big smile of hers and stories she shared with us. Our condolences to both of you.

    Reply
  • Jean Barnard says:
    May 4, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Elsie though I know this was not unexpected it is still so hard to lose your mother. I so enjoyed my visit with her so many years ago. Such good memories. She had an amazing life and such energy. She will be missed by many. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

    Reply
  • David Hnidy says:
    May 8, 2016 at 6:03 am

    Was so glad I stopped in for a real nice visit last summer. Even had to apply my fire fighting duties and carry her down a flight of stairs when the elevator wasn’t working. Will never forget that.

    Reply

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Testimonials

They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke