SKUTSHEK, Eugenie (Jean)

June 5, 1931 — May 4, 2013

It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of Eugenie (Jean) Skutshek, on Saturday May 4, 2013, at Hospice House in Kelowna, BC, 32 days short of her 82nd birthday and 19 days short of her 60th wedding anniversary. She was surrounded by her husband, sister and three children as she passed quietly from this life to the next. Her body succumbed to ovarian cancer, which she battled valiantly for more than three years. Left to mourn her loss and treasure her memories are husband Paul, son Edward (Denise), daughter Desiree, son Paul (Gordon), grandsons Jonathan and Noah, sister Vera Lueck and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean is predeceased by her mother Alma and father Edward Politz, and her brother Leo Politz.

Jean was born in the village of Horstschick, in the Ukraine, June 5th, 1931. The winds of World War II blew her from the Ukraine to Germany. She underwent many trials and tribulations during the war years, often narrowly escaping death at the hand of a bullet, bomb or starvation. She spent much of the war years separated from her parents. Her father Edward did not survive the war. She emigrated to Canada in 1951 and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her living as a maid and then a seamstress. On May 23, 1953, she married Paul Skutshek, whose family had lived in the same village in the Ukraine and who had immigrated to Winnipeg at the same time.

During their years in Winnipeg, Paul and Jean worked tirelessly to realize the Canadian dream of home ownership, advancement in life and the establishment of family (their three children were born from 1956-62). In 1968, they moved to Kelowna. Paul and Jean established a successful construction and development business under the name “Paul Construction”. Husband Paul drew plans and built homes and commercial buildings, while Jean kept the business’ books and kept the home fires burning. Paul and Eugenie retired in 1988.

From 1968 to 2001, the two were active members of Christ Lutheran Church. Jean sang in the church choir for many years. She was active in Christ Lutheran’s women’s group and was instrumental in planning and convening numerous events at Christ Lutheran over those years. In 2001, Jean and Paul joined Grace Lutheran Church on the Westside, as their eldest son Edward had accepted a call to be pastor of the congregation. Paul and Jean remained active in church life at Grace Lutheran. They spent countless hours in worship, Bible study and fellowship. Eugenie remained active in Grace Lutheran’s women’s group and was involved in planning and convening church events as long as her health would allow.

The Skutshek family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Kelowna Hospice House for the loving and tender care given to our beloved “Jeanie.” We would also like to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the volunteers and staff of the Kelowna Cancer Center for the care given to Jean, most notably, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Docherty. We cannot thank her family physician Dr. Michael Bobyn enough for the care he has given our beloved Jeanie, most especially during her last days.

Friends wishing to pay their last respects and offer condolences to the family are invited to a viewing at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road in Kelowna, on Monday May 13 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A service celebrating a life well lived and a woman well loved will be held on Wednesday May 15 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 1162 Hudson Road, West Kelowna, BC (250) 769-5685. We will remember and celebrate who she was and whose she is. 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.”

For a High  Definition video of Jean’s Celebration of Life please visit http://www.gracelutherankelowna.com/Worship%20Services%20Archive/SpecialServices.html

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