Obituary of Jessie Marie Hyshka

Mom left our lives suddenly on February 23, 2011 to join her beloved husband of 57 years, Walt. Born on November 17, 1917 near Eastend, SK, she was the youngest of two sisters. Graduating from grade 12 at age 16, she had to wait a year to attend Normal (teaching) School and spent a number of years teaching multiple grades in rural schools. Mom eventually met her life’s love and companion, Walter, while working as a secretary at the PFRA office in Swift Current, SK. They married in 1951 and had twins, Gail and Gregg, in 1953 and Bill in 1955. They lived in Vauxhall, AB in our early years, where Dad continued with the PFRA. Mom followed Dad on his many adventures and job changes moving from Saskatoon, Nipawin, to Calgary, Vauxhall, St. Paul, Edmonton, Prince George, and back to Calgary with Dad’s final retirement to Lethbridge in 1987 where they rejoined numerous life-long friends. During this time, Mom taught various school grades including English to Japanese students. Always popular, her students were attentive and respectful and Mom truly enjoyed teaching. Mom was a wonderful baker of bread and cinnamon rolls and enjoyed sewing, needlework, knitting, crocheting, leather tooling, and oil painting. She and Dad loved to see the world and travelled overseas as well as throughout the USA and Canada. Above all else, Mom loved to read and do crosswords, something she continued to do daily until her passing. In 2008, Mom and Dad moved to Willow Creek Lodge in Stettler after Dad’s cancer diagnosis. When Dad passed away in April 2009, Mom continued to live at the Lodge. Mom deeply missed Dad and spoke of him daily. Mom was a very intuitive and spiritual person, she deeply believed in God but in her own way. A strong and resilient person, Mom’s determination and positive attitude helped her recover from a broken hip in 2009. Mom lived by her own creed, “everything in moderation”, and stressed the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and a balanced life. She loved to walk and enjoyed daily trips on her own to the nearby park. Always a warm and caring person, Mom had the ability to draw people to her. She was a loveable woman with a real sparkle and a wonderful sense of humor. Quiet and gracious, Mom made many friends at the Lodge; she never felt alone and commented often on how nice everyone was. She loved chocolates and visitors and staff alike were always invited to share her passion. Our Mom was humble and never one to complain about anything. She appreciated even the smallest gestures of kindness and never wanted to be a bother to anyone. Mom was truly ‘the best of the best’ and she was our family’s true North. She was proud of her husband’s and children’s accomplishments and always encouraged us to give our best in all things. Mom was thoughtful and generous, a wonderful listener, and a wise teacher. Mom had a life full of adventure and change, truly a life well-lived; a life that mattered and a life that made a difference. We are grateful for the time we had with her and for the privilege of being her children. We are sad for our loss but happy that she is with the husband she so deeply loved and missed. Left behind are Gail Peterson (Brian), Bill Hyshka, Gregg Hyshka (Theresa) and granddaughters Taylor and Blair. To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever. Henry Drummond Funeral services were held on Wednesday March 2, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. in the Heartland Chapel of the Stettler Funeral Home with Reverend Ross Helgeton officiating. Beautiful recorded selections were played including some of Jessie’s favorites. Family and friends then gathered together for a time of fellowship and sharing in the reception center of the Stettler Funeral Home. Should friends desire memorial tributes may be made in Jessie’s memory to the Willow Creek Lodge or a charity of the donor’s choice in care of the Stettler Funeral Home.