Community mourns loss of Nation Builder Sonia Sagasz

Published in the Regina Leader-Post
from October 26 - October 27, 2006.

Sofia (Sonia) Sagasz (Recognized as Nation Builder in 2001)

Sofia (Sonia) Sagasz, beloved mother and grandmother (Baba), passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at age 81, surrounded by her family.

Sonia was predeceased by both her parents, Joseph Kocko and Katarina Godz, her mother-in-law Emilia Sagasz and Sonia's loving husband Wolodymyr Sagasz.

Sonia is survived by her three daughters and their families: Marta (Paul) Townshend and their children, Larissa, Alexander and Michael (London, Ontario); Roma and her daughters, Katrina and Kaylin Zimbaluk (Regina); Lydia (Kevin) Shiplack and their sons, Gregory and Jeremy (Montmartre).

Sonia was born in Zhirova, Ukraine on February 4, 1925. At age 18 she fled her homeland and eventually immigrated to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1949. Sonia and Wolodymyr were married on August 26, 1950 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Sonia and her husband were strong community-minded individuals who worked hard within the Ukrainian community locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

Sonia was a gifted speaker, a master in the kitchen and a host Extraordinaire. She was a long time member of St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church, UCWL and St. Basil's Church Choir. She was actively involved in several committees including the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Mosaic and the Kiev Ukrainian Pavilion and Ukrainian Cooperative Association. Sonia gave birth to the centennial project of building the Ukrainian Science Park. She was also one of the founding members of the Regina Folk Arts Council. She spent her life contributing to her community and sharing the richness of the Ukrainian culture.

Sonia was the proud recipient of Shevchenko Medallion in 1995 and the Nation Builder Award in 2001. She was a strong community member and an inspirational role model to her children and grandchildren.

We would like to thank Rt. Rev. Msgr. Luzney for his prayer and spiritual guidance. We would like to express our most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Christina Vuksic and all the Pasqua Hospital staff on 4A whose kindness, exceptional care and compassion were most gratefully appreciated.

Sonia's dedication to her community, heritage and church were significant but her greatest testament was her role as Mother and Grandmother. We are proud to be her children and grandchildren and will continue to learn and grow from her wisdom, strength, unwaivering courage, independence, passion, compassion, patience, tolerance and her unconditional love. This indeed is her legacy.

Prayers will be held on Friday, October 27, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina. Divine Liturgy will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1757 Toronto Street, Regina with Rt. Rev. Msgr. R. Luzney presiding. Interment in Riverside Memorial Park. An on-line book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com. VICHNAYA PAMYAT

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2006