Dawne Marie Switenky (nee Anderson)
May 3, 1959 – April 28, 2014

Dawne passed away on April 28, 2014 at the age of 54. She was born May 3, 1959 to Esther and Alec, the last of 7 children. She grew up in Lone Spruce where her family owned the local post office and store. Her daddy died when she was just 4 years old but she found another dad in Arnold Fisher when her mother married 6 years later. That union also blended her family with 4 more siblings. Her mother was her best friend and family was always important – her sisters, brothers and cousins becoming her constant friends through the years. She spent her youth in Deer Ridge and Wild Rose where she excelled in track and field and curling, enjoyed record hops and spent weekends and summers in Waskesiu. After completing high school Dawne married her high school sweetheart, Terry Switenky. Together they raised 4 children in Red Deer Hill area, where they farmed, and she volunteered in the MacDowall and West Central schools. All her children played sports and she would never miss a game or practice. When the kids had grown she worked outside the home at South Hill Inn, Shoppers Drug Mart, Safeway, Marquis Towers and assisted neighbours and family members with home care and babysitting. She was hard working and had the most helpful manner and spirit that drew people to her. She was funny, kind, sentimental and deeply committed to her family. She had an interest in her family’s genealogy, preserving moments from pictures to recipes. She was most at home in the garden with her flowers, a love she inherited from her mother. Dawne was the cool, favourite, ever supportive aunt and mother figure to family and friends alike. She loved to work with her hands whether it baking, making crafts or cleaning – she was never idle long. She loved the lake and camping, a highlight of every year since childhood and something she passed along to her kids and grandkids. She loved music, Christmas, taking the kids trick or treating, coffee dates, crossword puzzles, saying “I Love You”, puzzles, Balderdash, sitting around a campfire and her grandchildren. Later on, her life was impacted by lung disease. She found herself unable to catch her breath or sustain herself. COPD presented her with numerous challenges but even so she managed to enjoy boating, camping, time with her grandchildren, sleepovers with her children, concerts, and social time until the very end. Her TV became a way to pass the time as her mobility became more impaired and gave her entertainment and ways to keep active, whether it be the news, documentaries, hockey playoffs, family videos or watching movies with her grandkids. She kept journals and recently completed some memoirs for her children. She was the best wife, mother and grandmother you could ask for. We are forever grateful. She fought hard, tried to stay with us as long as she could and wished she could be here to welcome her first granddaughter in May – she is now her guardian angel. Dawne is survived by her husband of 36 years Terry Switenky; her children: daughter Tara and grandson Preston, son Adam (Alexandra Black) and grandson Haydyn, son Matthew, daughter Amy (Dylan Horne) and soon to be baby granddaughter; her sisters Elaine Folden, Wendy Switenky, Vickie (Clifford) Herzog, Barb (Mick) Hamilton, Yvonne Hansen; her brothers Andy (Sam) Anderson, Syl (Diane) Fisher, Louie (Eileen) Fisher; mother-in-law Olga Switenky, sisters-in-law Verna (Donald) Blocka, Marlene Anderson; special aunt and friend Ila Couldwell; aunts Vi Skauge, Mary (Don) Lynem; uncles Jimmy (Annette) Szell, Ken Weaver; brothers-in-law Doug (Donelda) MacDonald, Alan Folden; special cousins Michelle Thompson and Tammy Fusick; godchildren Andrea Switenky, Melissa Desjardins and numerous relatives and friends. Dawne was predeceased by her mother Esther Fisher (nee Weaver, nee Anderson); her daddy Alec Anderson; her dad Arnold Fisher; father-in-law Michael Switenky; her sister Arlene MacDonald; her brother Edward Anderson; her brothers-in-law Earl Switenky, Melvin Hanson; niece in infancy Angel Ann Switenky; nephew in infancy Randy MacDonald; aunts Jean (Fred) Anderson, Bess Weaver; uncles Marvin (Helen) Anderson, Wilfred (Vosti) Anderson, Doyle Couldwell, Billy Weaver in infancy, Erling Skauge, Elwood (Linda)Weaver; grandparents Annie & Nels Anderson, May & Delmer Weaver; as well as numerous friends and relatives. We would like to thank the professionals of the Victoria Hospital for the amazing care she received her last days. ICU made mom’s final moments that of true compassion, care and love. Of special mention, Kara (5th Floor) and Joanne (ICU) – our immense thanks. Mom believed in organ donation and wished to do so but due to staying in Prince Albert was unable to give more than just her corneas–our hope is that whomever receives them be as blessed to see such goodness as she did. Rest easy mom – you deserve it. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Estate of Dawne Switenky, c/o Conexus Credit Union, 2800 – 2nd Avenue West, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5Z4 with hopes of furthering COPD research. Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28th Street West, Prince Albert, SK with Reverend Father Ivan Nahachewsky officiating. Celebrations of Dawne’s life will happen on what would be her 55th birthday on Saturday May 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 260 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK with Celebrant Reverend Father Travis Myrheim, with a lunch to follow before burial at Ukrainian Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit Cemetery, MacDowall, SK. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director (306-922-4729).