Ryba, Sandra Marjorie
Sandra Marjorie Ryba
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Sandra Marjorie Ryba, aged 80 years of Moose Jaw, SK on Thursday, October 15th, 2020.
Sandra was the beautiful wife of Jerry Ryba. She was the love of his life and true soul mate for 65 years, and a loving mom to three daughters: Jeri, Janis, and Jacquie.
Sandra was born amongst fireworks on July 1st, 1940 in Moose Jaw. She attended King George School and Central Collegiate. When she was 15, she and Jerry met at the roller rink where he had a job tying roller skates for patrons. They were married three years later on October 11th, 1958. Sandra was a gifted singer and taught vocal lessons to countless students over many years. She received her A.R.C.T. in Vocal Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She used her beautiful voice and musical talents to lead the choir and music worship team at the First Baptist Church for many years. She was on the Moose Jaw Music Festival Committee and a vocal adjudicator for the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association. She was an accomplished pianist. She also used her hands for her artistry in pottery, sketches, paintings, and in writing beautiful poems. She worked in the family business, The Dash Leather Goods, and managed it for many years before its closing in 1999. Sandra never stopped wanting to learn and try new adventures. In her 60’s she started violin lessons and joined the Moose Jaw Adult String Orchestra. She became a fierce runner, running her first marathon at the age of 64. Eight months later she ran the Boston marathon. She ran it again in 2008, along with marathons in Regina, Saskatoon, and Victoria. Sandra and Jerry loved traveling, visiting Europe many times, a highlight was going to the Czech Republic where Jerry’s family originated. They also traveled to Hawaii, Venezuela, and many other places in Canada and the United States. Sandra was busy planning the next trip as soon as one ended. She was an amazing mom, creating many beautiful memories for us, her children. She was always in our corner and forever the rock of the family. We were so blessed by seeing such a true example of selfless, pure love between mom and dad. Their love is the definition of true love, dedication and companionship. This is a devastating loss. Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Floyd and Marjorie Dash; and niece Jennifer Bisson. Mourning her loss is her husband, Jerry Ryba; their three daughters: Jacquie, Janis and Rob, and Jeri; grandchildren: Rundle Ryba, Jessica and Jahson Simoneau, Matt and Heather Schoenroth, Lauren and Jamie Yuen, Kevin Jowsey and Andrew Jowsey; sisters and family: Brenda and Ray Milne, Cherry and Bruce Milne; brother, George Dash; lifelong best friends, Neil and Marge Koop; great-grandchildren: Frederick, Marie and Evangeline Yuen, Kai and Grayson Schoenroth, and Lily Simoneau.
Our sincere thanks for going above and beyond to: Marcie Carswell, Dr. Willem Geyer, and the staff at Pioneer Lodge. Your thoughtfulness and care did not go unnoticed.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a Private Family Service will be held and interment will take place at Moose Jaw Funeral Home Indoor Columbarium. Donations in memory of Sandra may be made to the Moose Jaw Music Festival for a special scholarship in her name. Please send to: Moose Jaw Music Festival, 270 Blue Sage Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1N5. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
Jerry and Family,
My heart is hurting for you. The love and commitment you had to each other was what all of us strive for. I’ll miss seeing you and Sandra when I go visit Dad. Take care and hug each other.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Sandra was such a beautiful, kind ,loving soul! Her life touched and enriched so many people including mine . I will always cherish her memory !! “ We can shed tears because she has gone or we can smile because she has lived “❤️
Jerry and Family; We were saddened to learn of Sandra’s passing. She was a lovely talented lady. Sandra taught our girls singing and was a wonderful teacher. We send our deepest sympathy to you and your girls. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family Jerry. When I was visiting my mom in pioneer lodge I so admired your love and devotion to Sandra. Thinking of you and your family.
To Gerry Ryba and family:
Sandra was a wonderful woman and a beautiful singer, someone widely admired–and a marathon runner too! Even in her later years, she still had that great smile, inspiring those who saw her. Our sympathies are with you at this trying time.
Sincerely,
Bob and Gwen Currie
Sorry to hear about Sandra she was a good voice teacher too
I remember the first time I met Auntie Sandra in Moose Jaw. I was a young girl and I thought she was so pretty! I also loved to hear her beautiful singing.
Thinking of Uncle Jerry and my 3 cousins.
Love from Marlene Doyle (Ryba)
God Bless ❤️
My condolences to Sandra’s family and friends. I worked at Dash Leather for a short while a long time ago in 1991. She was a great boss and a lovely person. So sorry for your loss.
Jez and family. I am so sorry for the loss of your wife, Sandra. I will cherish all those great memories from long ago in Moose Jaw with Jerry and Sandra. Dave and I were so fortunate to have developed great friendship with the two of you. God Bless you all. Until we meet again!
Dear Jerry and Families.. My deepest condolences to all of you. Sandra will be missed. Your tribute to her was so beautiful. Such an amazing woman. May all of your memories carry each of you through this difficult time. Take care of Jerry, he’s going to need all of you.
Dear Jerry and girls,
Very sorry to hear this sad news. Sandra taught me vocal lessons in the late 60’s, early 70’s. I always enjoyed our lessons- she was knowledgeable and professional, but also fun and funky. She always made me feel like my opinions
were valued and never treated me like a kid. After I graduated from highschool and moved away, I would often stop in at Dash’s when I was in a MJ, just to visit and catch up with “Mrs. Ryba”.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your memories will bring you comfort in the day’s ahead.
Jerry, Jacquie, Jeri and Janis. Our deepest sympathy on Sandra’s passing. Running into you guys at coffee time in Tim Horton’s are fond memories I know how much she will be missed. God bless and comfort you in your sorrow.
Such a grand lady! I have fond memories of Sandra and Jerry at the Y. My condolences to all of you.
We are so sorry to hear about Sandra’s passing
Our sincerest sympathy to you Jerry and Family during this most difficult time.
Most Sincerely,
Gary & Louella (Uhren )
Regina
Jerry and your family. Sending you my deepest sympathy. I really enjoyed our visits when you would take Sandra out walking coming by my house and stopping for a chat.She was a beautiful talented lady and always smiling and kind.
She was blessed to have such a loving husband to take such good care of her.May many special memories be your greatest gift. So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss Jerry. My prayers are with you.
Your friend,
Terry Stark
Jerry. Thinking of you in this great time of loss. Your constant presence at your wife’ side was such a strong example of true devotional love; a tribute to the wonderful person that Sandra was. Through your eyes and her wonderful smile we also never lost sight of her inner beauty. May God bless you with his loving comfort and peace.
Jerry, Jacquie, Janis, Jeri and and families: Please accept our most sincere condolences on Sandra’s passing. Jerry, I remember your daily calls to Sandra when you worked in the lab at the plant. We sometimes teased you for wanting to call just a few hours after you left home but yours was a true partnership, a lifelong love and you were soul mates. We could tell by the laughs you had on the phone just how much you were in love and really enjoyed one another. How truly lucky you were to have each other for such a long time and to have a family together. We are so sorry for your loss and we wish you all the best in carrying on with Sandra in your hearts.
We are so sorry for your loss…Sandra was a beautiful person in all ways and we know how sad a time this is for all of you. With sincere sympathy. Linda & Dennis Kerr
Jerry & family, So sorry for your loss of a beautiful ,talented lady.
Dear Jerry and Girls
I am so very sorry to hear of Sandra’s passing.
I will always cherish the memories of voice lessons, festivals, and recitals under her tutelage, her sense of fun, her infectious laugh, and ready
smile.
She was so youthful and such a caring person.
She will be so missed.
May the many happy memories of her bring you some peace in the midst of your grief.
On behalf of the Dowling family, we send our condolences. Your commitment to your family was remarkable. You truly are a special man.
Jerry and family; our hearts go out to you on the loss of Sandra, such a lovely soul. We knew Sandra the most through our membership at the Y. You always knew where in the building Sandra was by her infectious laugh and joy! Sandra was a great woman to talk with about anything and she was such a support to anyone who was struggling. We have such wonderful, warm memories of Sandra. Sending you strength and caring at this time. Helen (Ryan) and Gregg Bathgate
Jerry and Jeri and families,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time. I remember our times at the ballpark with great fondness and Sandras smiling face whether we won or lost.
Remember the joy she brought to everyone’s life and take comfort in the knowledge she is at peace
Bin and Flo
Grandma, I will always remember our time together with utmost fondness. I remember helping you bake MacIntosh Toffee cake when I was 10 and going to the YMCA with you and mom, and Grandpa Jerry.
I remember when you visited when I was very small and I told you that skittles candy were my “medicine” and I had to have one skittle everyday, you laughed with great humour and said, “What, do you think I was born yesterday!?”
You will live in my heart as long as I live. I can still hear your voice in my thoughts as if we had recently spoken!
I know how much you loved your Jez, children and grandchildren. We love you back so much and will miss you always!
Dear Jerry, Jeri Lynn, Rundle, Janice, Jacquie and families,
What a pleasure it always was to be around your family, Sandra and Jerry were loved and admired by myself and everyone who got to spend time with them. Jeri and Rundle, and all your family, my thoughts are with you. Much love and hugs, Lynette, William, Maclean
So sorry Jerry for your loss of your wife your great love for Sandra I have seen in your everyday care and presence Condolences to your family may Lord bring you all comfort in your difficult time
Jez, Jeri Lynn, Janis, Jacquie and families
I am deeply saddened by Sandra’s passing. It was a joy to sing in the choir at First Baptist Church under her as the director. I fondly remember the cantatas we did and treasure the tape that Sandra gave me that she and Toots made.
May the Lord comfort you at this time.
Jerry. I was saddened to hear of Sandra. She was such a gifted person. I was spoiled in Moose Jaw by her and Jeri Lynns O Holy Night on so many Christmas Eves. To this day, for me, no Christmas Eve is complete without that song and I always seem to measure the quality of the performance by the memories I have of Sandra and Jeri Lynn. My condolences to you and the family. Jalene Zirk
I was saddened to hear of Sandra. I have such fond memories of her beautiful voice but especially of the many Christmas Eve O Holy Night that she and Jeri Lynn sang together. For me Christmas Eve is not complete until I hear it and no matter who sings it ,it brings back fond memories of Sandra and Jeri Lynn. My love to the family.
My heart goes out to you all . I have such fond memories of the music room at Mrs Ryba’s house – I so admired Sandra’s beautiful soul and the heart she put in to teaching us all. She was a true inspiration to me and so many other music students .
With love to you all …
Patti
My heartfelt condolences to you Jerry and family. Sandra was a lovely person inside and out. I will always remember how hospitable you both were when we visited many years ago. May you cherish your wonderful memories of her and be able to see all the wonderful things that life still has to enjoy.
So sorry to hear of Sandra passing . I will always remember her teaching me voice lessons. the Christmas concerts and her beautiful voice. mdeepest sympathies. Karen Gogan
My deepest condolences to you Mr Ryba, Jacquie, Janis, Jeri Lynn and families. I cherish fond memories of the many years of voice lessons from Mrs Ryba, music festivals and duets with you Janis. Mrs Ryba had a beautiful , kind and generous heart, a true inspiration and gift to the lives she touched! May you be blessed with comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Hi Jerry,
We just learned of Sandra’s passing recently. Please accept our deepest sympathy. We have followed Sandra’s health issues through mutual friends for several years, but when it comes to this, it’s so hard. I’m sure there is comfort in kids and grand kids, they have so much to give.
We have not been in contact for much our adult/married lives so we were not aware of Sandra’s so many accomplishments in the musical and athletic areas. They were truly amazing. And to your credit, they would have required an equally amazing level of support.
As you go forward, kids and grands will be with you. And you will be with Sandra through them.
Bob and Mary Crook
Sorry for your loss Geri-lynn. Your mom made me laugh to myself when she could go up 2 octaves while singing in the choir at the Baptist church all those years ago. She was a kind person. to you and yours, kind souls are never lost to time and will always endure. Your goodness is your testament. Bobby.