Victoria Pshyk

It is with heartfelt sadness we share the passing of Victoria Pshyk, beloved mother, on December 10, 2024, at St. Joseph Villa (LTC home) in Dundas, Ontario. Vicky leaves behind her daughter, Christal Pshyk (David Kravinchuk) who she loved dearly and wholeheartedly. Victoria was predeceased by her husband, Victor in 2023; she was also the last remaining of 10 siblings.  

During the two years Vicky lived with Alzheimer’s disease in long-term care, Christal was a constant caregiver. Vicky loved going for walks and eating her favourite snacks while playing cards. Her game of choice was Blind Crib, and she played like a champion up until the end.  

Victoria was born to Ukrainian homesteaders on a farm near Andrew, Alberta. She left Alberta after finishing high school to live with her sister Isabel in Vernon, British Columbia. There she met and married Victor Pshyk, her husband of 67 years. They adopted Christal, their only child, in 1969 and cherished her like a gift from God. 

Victoria enjoyed gardening on their farm in Armstrong, BC. She often entered her baking and canning in the Interior Provincial Exhibition and came home with many Blue Ribbons!  

Some fun facts about Victoria: 

She swears that she saw the Ogopogo from her house on Okanagan Lake in Vernon, BC in the 1960s! 

She was an excellent baker and pioneered frying donuts in goose fat! 

She provided a roast moose recipe to the caterers of the 1994 Rolling Stones tour in Edmonton; the meal was Mick Jagger approved! 

 She dreamt of travelling but found it difficult because of farm responsibilities. But she did manage to see a bit of the world: a road trip across all of Canada, smaller trips to Florida, and western United States, an Alaskan cruise for her 50th wedding anniversary and a vacation to Aruba! And once she and Victor retired, they enjoyed camping and fishing throughout BC. 

 Vicky did not want an end-of-life celebration. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Alzheimer’s Society.

Although You're Gone 

Although you're gone, I'm not alone,

 And never shall I be, 

For the precious memories of the bond we shared 

Will never depart from me.

 Our love surpassed the ups and downs 

And helped us along the way, 

And that same love will give me strength

 To manage this loss each day. 

On my mind and in my heart, 

Mom, you shall forever be, 

For just as much as I am a part of you, 

You are a part of me!

1. © Shannon Walker 
2. Published by Family Friend Poems August 2015 with permission of the Author.