Adina Sawatzky

Obituary

Adina Sawatzky, age 88, of Steinbach, MB., passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday, November 22, 2024, at her home at Bridgepark Manor, Steinbach, MB.

She is survived by one son, Dale Sawatzky (Shannon – Tobin, Gemma), and three daughters, Sharon Guenther (Tom – Joseph, Maria, Ethan), Candace Georgijevic (Igor – Nikita, Maksim) and Michelle Koop (Chris – Paxton, Tyson). She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Clifford (Mary), and sisters, Frances (Alec), Mabel (Vic), Lillian (Abe) and Elma.

She was predeceased by her loving husband John Sawatzky, brother Ruben Brandt, sister Maryanne Lawrie, sister-in-law Mary Brandt, brothers-in-law Clint Lawrie and Peter Hiebert.

Adina was born back in 1936 in Steinbach and was the oldest of five girls and was always her mother’s right-hand help with the little ones, even guiding them and mentoring them into their teen years. She attended Ekron school to Grade 8, completed her Grade 9 by correspondence and finished her education at the Steinbach Collegiate for Grades 10-12. For a couple of summers, her love of children was put into practice as she had a job as a nanny for a family with triplets on Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg. She attended Teacher’s College for a year, and it was just after she had completed her Teacher’s college training, through a fortunate meeting, a shared faith and a little help from her sister Maryanne, that she met the love of her life, John Sawatzky. They were married on August 16, 1959, and four children followed. Along the way mom and dad lived and taught in Morocco, Africa; Steep Rock and Moosehorn, MB; Churchbridge and Kamsack, SK., and then, in 1970 finally settled for good in Steinbach, MB. She stayed home with her children until the youngest was in school and then, spent most of her working life as a much-loved librarian at Elmdale School.

Adina was also the most incredible mom. Whatever her children needed she was willing to provide. Anywhere they needed to go she was often their transportation, no matter how far. She made school lunches for each one of them from Grade 1 to Grade 12, her talent at sewing resulted in many matching outfits for the three girls, in fact, the whole family was outfitted by her for their Crokinole float in the Pioneer Days parade and every Sunday dress, grad dress and more was lovingly and masterfully sewn by her. She was also the most amazing at delivering supper to her children when they were busy with all their activities. Whether it was an evening long operetta rehearsal, needing a fast supper in the car on the way to practice or even when Dale was at work, a delicious hot meal would be delivered with love.

Adina and John loved travelling and placed a lot of importance on exploring the world with their family and later in life, just the two of them. Highlights along the way included teaching missionary kids in Morocco, building a motorhome out of a bread van for many family camping trips, leading the EMC Youth group on a cyclathon called “God’s Cycling Disciples”, Disney, mom driving the motorhome as the head of the support team as dad cycled all the way to Florida with Dale and two of his friends, taking the entire family to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, visiting Candace in Korea and Germany multiple times, spending time with Dale and Shannon in Malaysia, cruising Hawaii and Alaska, road tripping to the west coast in their 80’s to visit friends and family along the way, and the tradition of over four decades of family camping at Falcon Lake campground where her hot dogs, beans, macaroni and cheese, teriyaki chicken, incredible pocket stews and campfire pizza pops became a tradition that will never end.

Adina was known for how active she was in SO many ways. She and dad enjoyed years of golfing and curling, she could walk four miles with ease well into her 80’s, she was the Sunday School superintendent in the Nursery department at the Evangelical Mennonite Church, she volunteered for the Southeastern Manitoba festival, and she was always proud of having so many friends that were younger than her. Shared breakfast times, Bible Studies with close friends, continuing to camp, plenty of competitive games of Canasta and visiting friends’ cottages were highlights for her as well.

Adina was gifted in so many ways. She spent hours cooking, baking, sewing, gardening and decorating inside and outside of the home. As long as she could, every family dinner was cooked entirely by her from beginning to end. When the family all lived at home, her huge garden would feed them year-round because she just knew how to make it grow. Her baking often was a highlight for anyone who got to enjoy it. From her pineapple squares to her farmer’s brownies, her pumpkin pie, her mushroom shaped Easter bread with the most delicious lemon spread, her date cookies, her carrot cookies, zucchini cake and more… to know Adina was to know at least one or two of her specialties and you always wanted more.

Her love of flowers, especially geraniums and petunias, also stands out. Her flower beds were always successful, beautiful and important to her and the fun that she and dad had decorating the front of their home for every season, showed how much they cared about making where they lived a place they loved and a place where everyone was welcome.

One thing that can’t be missed is how much Adina loved her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, and she was always willing to take care of them. When Johnny was busy sleeping with the kids in the famous leaf house, she’d be up before dawn making sure the smiley faced pancakes, and bacon would be ready when they came in for breakfast. Fall always meant carving pumpkins with the grandkids, and the door was always open when they would stop by after school and for stretches of time it was every day. They were always welcomed with open arms, and you know she had snacks ready for them too. Mom was always quick to say “yes” to babysitting any and all of the grandchildren and they had the very best care when she did. As they got older, she was their biggest cheerleader, and her only concern was that they were doing OK and that they knew that she was praying for them. The most incredible support, their #1 fan, without fail, without complaint, and without any talk of effort. She just loved it.

But no question, the thing we will remember the most about Adina Sawatzky, more than anything she DID, was the person that she was, the steady, strong, resilient, supportive, wise and slow to speak woman, who so many of us relied on as part of our lives. She was such a constant supportive partner to her husband and never wavered in loving and supporting her children or grandchildren, no matter what paths they chose to walk down. She was confident and trusted that God would take care of things that she entrusted to Him. She didn’t try to control things she couldn’t and she left the worrying to others. She loved, gave advice when asked, and along with dad always said “yes” when asked to help without ever expecting anything in return.

She may have been quiet and reserved but she shared so much joy, love, care and gratefulness with those she was closest to. From beginning to end, she held true to her faith in a loving God. She never wavered from wanting to live the life she was given for the Lord.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing one hour prior to the service.

The interment will take place following the service at the Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

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