June 1, 1939 – December 29, 2020
Our Mom and Baba passed away on December 29, 2020.
She was born in Canmore on June 1
st
1939 to parents Joseph and Anne Cherak. Growing up in a coal mining town was tough, but especially so when her father passed away when she was 10 and her sister Margaret was 5. As a result, Sylvia grew up with a deep appreciation of the value of family, of celebrating the good times and of the importance of helping others in the difficult ones. Everyone who knew Sylvia benefited from her care for others.
In High School, Sylvia caught the eye of Richard Eliuk. They married in Canmore but soon moved to the city for him to join up with the Calgary Fire Department. In Calgary she started working at Calgary Power, which turned into a lifelong career. They developed a network of enduring friends, who would join them for annual Salmon fishing trips, Canada Day Reunions, and winters in Arizona. Most recently, many joined them in celebrating their 60
th
Wedding Anniversary earlier this year.
Every family tree has a significant branch. Baba was our branch. While families inevitably all go their own way, Mom always found a way to bring us back together. We loved her cooking, adored her company and we all pause now to cherish our own memories. Whether celebrating a birthday, hosting Sunday dinners or gathering for the holidays, she always brought us back to what was most important – being together.
She is survived by her husband of 60 Years – Richard, and their three sons: Rick (Lori), Keith (Joanne) and Peter (Kathy) as well as her grandchildren Nichole (Scott), Patricia (Darren), Ethan/Quartz, Kieran, Joel, and Erica. She is also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Chayse, Blake and Mason. Also survived by her cherished sister Margaret Hall and nephews Mark (Tracy) and Steven as well great nephew Jamie and great nieces Michelle, Stacey and Stephanie.
For now we say goodbye Baba, but look forward to being together again soon to lay Sylvia to rest in full view of her beloved Rockies, and the Three Sisters that were a constant focus of her love of oil painting, especially getting that rundle rock just the right tone of grey.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (
2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1P4
). Interment will take place at the Canmore Cemetery immediately following the service. Following the interment, all are invited to join with the family at the church for refreshments and a time of remembrance.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sylvia’s memory to the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society by mail 2234 30 Ave. NE, Calgary AB T2E 7K9 or Ph. 403-701-2876.
Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence (Larry) Slywka, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvia June Eliuk, please visit our flower store.
Our Mom and Baba passed away on December 29, 2020.
She was born in Canmore on June 1
st
1939 to parents Joseph and Anne Cherak. Growing up in a coal mining town was tough, but especially so when her father passed away when she was 10 and her sister Margaret was 5. As a result, Sylvia grew up with a deep appreciation of the value of family, of celebrating the good times and of the importance of helping others in the difficult ones. Everyone who knew Sylvia benefited from her care for others.
In High School, Sylvia caught the eye of Richard Eliuk. They married in Canmore but soon moved to the city for him to join up with the Calgary Fire Department. In Calgary she started working at Calgary Power, which turned into a lifelong career. They developed a network of enduring friends, who would join them for annual Salmon fishing trips, Canada Day Reunions, and winters in Arizona. Most recently, many joined them in celebrating their 60
th
Wedding Anniversary earlier this year.
Every family tree has a significant branch. Baba was our branch. While families inevitably all go their own way, Mom always found a way to bring us back together. We loved her cooking, adored her company and we all pause now to cherish our own memories. Whether celebrating a birthday, hosting Sunday dinners or gathering for the holidays, she always brought us back to what was most important – being together.
She is survived by her husband of 60 Years – Richard, and their three sons: Rick (Lori), Keith (Joanne) and Peter (Kathy) as well as her grandchildren Nichole (Scott), Patricia (Darren), Ethan/Quartz, Kieran, Joel, and Erica. She is also blessed with 4 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Chayse, Blake and Mason. Also survived by her cherished sister Margaret Hall and nephews Mark (Tracy) and Steven as well great nephew Jamie and great nieces Michelle, Stacey and Stephanie.
For now we say goodbye Baba, but look forward to being together again soon to lay Sylvia to rest in full view of her beloved Rockies, and the Three Sisters that were a constant focus of her love of oil painting, especially getting that rundle rock just the right tone of grey.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (
2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore, AB T1W 1P4
). Interment will take place at the Canmore Cemetery immediately following the service. Following the interment, all are invited to join with the family at the church for refreshments and a time of remembrance.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Sylvia’s memory to the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society by mail 2234 30 Ave. NE, Calgary AB T2E 7K9 or Ph. 403-701-2876.
Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence (Larry) Slywka, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sylvia June Eliuk, please visit our flower store.
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