Sylvia Jean Rysavy (née Hockley)

Sylvia Jean Rysavy (née Hockley), born on May 4th, 1948, passed away peacefully into the welcoming arms of Jesus on Saturday, March 12th, 2016.  As a teenager she had responded “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation when he said, “Sylvia I am standing at the door of your life and I want to come in and live my life through yours? I want to be your Friend, your Savior, your Eternal Hope and Joy and I can promise you that absolutely nothing will ever be able to separate us from My love. Can I come in?”  It is with deep and profound sadness that her husband Roy, of almost 48 years and children Sheri and Dallas announce her passing.  Sylvia was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and just within the past 2 months, became a great-grandmother.  She was born in Brandon, Manitoba and grew up on Lilac Lane farm.  Lilacs are still her favorite flower to this day.  Her older sister Ruth and younger brother Fred, along with many dogs and cats and other farm critters, gave her much love and appreciation for farm living.  She enjoyed frequent summer vacations with her family, often to the mountains where her father loved to go.  Sylvia was an accomplished musician who played piano, organ and trumpet.  As a teenager and still attending High School, she was the Head organist for the Brandon Alliance Church where she played each Sunday.  Following high school, she attended Canadian Bible College in Regina where she met and succumbed to the advances of one Roy Rysavy.  They were married in Brandon on her birthday, May 4th, 1968 when she turned 20 years old.  Sylvia had a special humor and wit.  She would say the most funny and silly unexpected witticisms that only she could pull off.  Roy’s early employment in 1968 and later his career in Social Services starting in 1971, took Sylvia and the family too many places including Outlook, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Regina, Nipawin, Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge, Melfort and finally to a permanent residence back in Moose Jaw in 1987.  Sylvia took every move in stride, even when she discovered little secrets like when she locked herself and the kids out of the house in Buffalo Narrows.  Some of the neighbor kids noticed her plight and suggested they could help.  So one little fellow walked over to a basement window, took the screen off, flipped the window open and jumped inside the house to open the door from the inside for her.  Who needs a key with resourceful neighbors like that?  Sylvia’s children and grandchildren were a constant joy to her.  She loved every opportunity to visit, babysit, feed them or care for them in some way.  She was thrilled to see her first great-grandchild enter the world on January 27th, 2016.  Sylvia loved to welcome friends and family into her home.  Her cooking and baking was enjoyed by everyone that had the pleasure of eating it.  She was always active in the various churches she attended over the years until her health limited her abilities.  Sylvia was first diagnosed with Diabetes in the early 1970’s.  She fought the good fight against the disease for over 40 years.  She never complained or was bitter towards life and smiled through most everything that her declining health threw at her.  She was an incredibly stalwart fighter against the disease until a series of strokes beginning in 2008 began a death toll on her mind and body.  She was predeceased by her parents, Gwen and Vic Hockley.    Sylvia will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Roy; children, Sheri (Mike) Chamberlain and Dallas (Susan) Rysavy; grandchildren: Derek Rysavy (Meagan), Chase Rysavy, Taylor Hoskins (Tyson), Delaney Chamberlain, Kendra Doerksen (Rhett), Kaleb Rysavy and Keaton Rysavy; great-granddaughter, Everley Brandt; sister, Ruth (Ed) Saunders; brother, Fred (Katherine) Hockley; as well as numerous other relatives.  The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 19th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Reverend Dwayne Uglem will officiate and interment will take place at Sunset Cemetery.  A Time of Visitation for Family and Friends will take place on Friday, March 18th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Flowers are gratefully declined. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Sylvia’s name may be made to Joe’s Place, 402 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K2.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550