Nellie (Bilan) Boyko

April 11, 1919 - November 16, 2015

The death of Mrs. Nellie Boyko (nee Bilan), 96 years, of Saskatoon and formerly of the Watson/Quill Lake area occurred on Monday, November 16, 2015.  Nellie was born on April 11, 1919 at Lorlie, SK to Steffan and Justina (nee Shirpowich) Bilan.  She grew up on the farm there and attended the local country school.  On March 16, 1945, Nellie married John Boyko.  They farmed north of Quill Lake, where she was kept busy with the farming duties, growing a large garden and raising their two sons.  Nellie and John were active members of the Wimmer, Quill Lake and Watson churches, communities and farming area.  In 1974, they retired and then moved to Saskatoon the following year.  John passed away in 1981 and Nellie remained living on her own until just several months ago when she became a resident of St. Joseph’s Home.  Nellie enjoyed gardening and loved her beautiful flowers.  She loved when her family would gather and she would cook a large traditional Ukrainian dinner for them all to share.  Nellie had a great sense of humour which she shared with family and friends.  She was a very open and accepting person, always willing to help someone in need.  Her faith was very important to her and she lived it daily.  Nellie was a Godly example of how you should live and treat others.  She was always very proud and supportive of her sons and grandchildren.  Nellie will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her two sons, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren:  Peter Boyko of Regina; and Robert (Betty) Boyko of Sherwood Park, AB and family, Steven (Tiffany) Boyko and son Wyatt of Edmonton, Sarah Boyko of London, England, and Jill (Jake) Scholtz and son Austin of Sherwood Park, AB; brother Eli (Stella) Bilan of Calgary; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, Steffan and Justina Bilan; five sisters and two brothers:  Mary (Harry) Banias, Katie (Peter) Slipetz, Peter (Violet) Bilan, Tenie (Victor) Unikowsky, Anne (Mike) Fedak, Olga (Nick) Unilowsky, and Michael Bilan.  The Funeral Service for Nellie was held on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at New Horizon Senior Center, Watson, officiated by Pastor Karl Kienle.  The interment followed in St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, Watson officiated by Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna.  Memorial donations in Nellie’s memory may be made to the Humboldt Food Bank or to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Humboldt (306-682-1622).

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