Julianna Witkevich
August 22nd, 1919 - August 5th, 2014
Mom passed away peacefully after a brief illness following hip surgery, in the Regina General Hospital on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014 with her beloved granddaughter Carolyn at her side. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul; son, Ronald; her parents, Ambros and Evelyn Fitzel; sister, Mary Schultz; and brothers, Paul Fitzel and Arthur Fitzel. Julianna will be greatly missed by her daughter, Geraldine Roman; granddaughter, Carolyn Hughes-Myers; grandson, Mark Hughes (Sherry); great-grandsons: Erik, Dustin and Jordan Hughes, and Mackenzie Myers; great-granddaughter, Ciara Myers; her sisters-in-law, Pat Fitzel and Lily Fitzel; as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a great-great-niece and nephew; and her special friends, Thara Maharaj and Nettie Stark. She was born on August 22nd, 1919 in Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Canada with her parents and two of her siblings in 1929. The family farmed at St. Boswells, SK and then moved to New Sarepta, AB in 1934 until her marriage to Paul Witkevich in 1938. She moved to Moose Jaw with her new husband and found work housekeeping for several families. Following the birth of her daughter and son, she worked briefly at the Providence Hospital in 1947 and then for 6 years at the CPR International Restaurant, which she thoroughly enjoyed. When this restaurant closed, she found work at the Uptown Café for 2 years. Then in 1959, she started in dietary at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital, a job she loved for 25 years until she retired. Since her retirement she enjoyed her garden in summers, and crocheting and knitting as her hobbies. She was an avid seamstress, working on her treadle machine making clothes for her husband, children and grandchildren. Prior to her parents’ death, she spent most of her vacations on their farm in Surrey, BC. She enjoyed spending time fishing with her brother Art at Canim Lake, BC. She often spoke of her greatest joy spent celebrating her 80th birthday with her brother and his wife, and a niece and nephew deep-sea fishing off the coast of Ocean Falls, BC. There she was crowned “Red Snapper Queen” having caught 16 red snappers - the most ever caught by one person. Her passion after retirement was bowling, at which she excelled. When she was 92 she was interviewed by a Moose Jaw Times Herald reporter, whereby the Times printed an almost full page spread on their Sports Page depicting that she was the oldest bowler who progressed to the Saskatchewan Seniors Bowling Championships in Saskatoon. She loved playing cards, especially Canasta and 31 with her brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephews. She was much esteemed as the matriarch of our small family, so much so, her great-granddaughter Ciara’s middle name is Julianna and the latest addition to our family, her great-great-niece, is named Julia. A Time of Visitation will take place on Sunday, August 10th, 2014 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., with the Funeral Service beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Father Rick Krofchek will officiate and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, PO Box 1503, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3R3. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com