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Bright Smile, Warm Heart
Elsie's Obituary
SHYBA – Elsie (aka Baba)
1925 - 2007
Elsie Shyba, beloved to all who knew her, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2007 at the age of 81 years. An extraordinarily loving person, Elsie was intelligent, generous, fun-loving, and inspired us all in ways that will forever make us better people. Elsie was born on July 11, 1925 in Vegreville, Alberta to Mary and Michael Powley. She attended Normal School in Edmonton and thereafter became a lifelong teacher and mentor, beginning her career in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Alberta. In 1958, she, husband Walter, and children Lori and Jack moved to Calgary where she taught Kindergarten and Grade One for many years at Westgate Elementary School and proudly taught Ukrainian cultural classes at St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Parish. After retiring, she, along with son Jack, formed Eat With Relish Catering where they pleased many a hungry crowd with their wonderful menus. Elsie was an excellent conversationalist, loved music, singing, dancing, and playing bridge, and always lit up a room the moment she arrived. All of us who knew and loved her will agree that Baba was larger than life, a respectful and loyal friend to all, and will be missed beyond imagining. She was predeceased by her husband , Walter, in 1990. She is survived by her loving children Jack (Carolyn), Lori (Paul), and grandchildren Austin, Warwick, Allyn, and Madelyn. Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church (4903 45 Street SW) on Easter Monday, April 9, 2007 at 11:00. Interment will be at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens at a later date, where she be will laid to rest beside her husband Walter Shyba. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to share your memories of Elsie with us at http://memoriesofelsieshyba.blogspot.com.
5 comments:
I was introduced to the new and somewhat scary world of education at Westgate Kindergarten at age 4 in 1964. Mrs. Shyba (as she was known to a wide-eyed 4 year old)made "school" seem not so scary after all. Under her guidance, I developed a thirst for learning (not always reflected in my future school marks) that has served me well. She started many young people on a path that has lead to healthy, worldly, productive lives. The successes I have experienced as an adult, in my 43 years since that first day I set foot in her classroom for the first time, are a legacy to the strength of her conviction in making learning an adventure, one which myself and my classmates continued to seek as we worked our way through our educations. My classmates in that Kindergarten class, Gary, Kerry, Cheryl, Kendra, Rob, Johnny and Greg (and others) remained good friends throughout the 13 years of our education and not one of us faltered. Mrs. Shyba, thank you for everything that you were to so many young little minds. You have truly made your mark. We all loved you and have never forgotten "our second mother" in those young impressionable years.
God be with you Mrs. Shyba.
Mrs. Shyba was my kindergarten teacher at the Westgate Community Centre in 1963/64. Always smiling, she patiently taught us to play group games, set up yet another painting or craft session, read us stories, and helped us to settle down for a little quiet rest time each day. I remember being excited about going to 'school' just because Mrs. Shyba was there. Her care for all us little ones was so obvious - a hug, a smile, a gentle hand placed on a little shoulder. Her skill as a teacher certainly helped lay the foundation for my lifelong enjoyment of learning. Although I am sad to hear of her passing, I am glad to know that she enjoyed a long and varied life. I will never forget Mrs. Shyba and the fun we had in kindergarten.
- Leslie (Bryant) Young.
I knew Mrs.Shyba from my first years of schooling at Westgate Elementary School in Calgary and I can recall how scared and terrified I was,but she would always make me feel at ease and made my first learning expierience one that I have carried with me all thease years.
I would see her again from time to time when I would visit my parents in the old neighborhood and no matter how long from the last time she saw me, she would never forget me or how shy I once was, well now that she is gone, I feel I must say thank you to her for all she taught me and may god bless her and take care of her now....you will not be forgotten.
I wasn't sure whether or not to post this under Teacher and Mentor or Beloved Friend. Elsie was both to me. I think that she might well have been my first friend outside of my family. I was one of the lucky kids who grew up next door. As kids (and later, adults), we were always welcome in her home. The opportunities to help with the care and feeding of the many creatures who lived with them over the years were also wonderful opportunities to learn. I learned that cats can live to very old age if you feed them a bit of raw liver each day and that mice can really be quite nice fellows! Growing up next door to Elsie (who instantly and forever became Mrs. Shyba on my first day of grade one in her classroom) was both a joy and an adventure. Through all her years on Westover Drive and beyond, she was a dear friend and neighbour to our family. She will forever remain the definition of vitality and vigour in my mind. I know that while I will miss her energy and sunny determination, I know that I will always have her with me in my memories and my heart.
Rest well Mrs. Shyba.
Mrs. Shyba was my Grade One teacher at Westgate in 1980-81. She made shcool so much FUN! In fact, by the time I began Grade two, I had decided to be a teacher, and I am! I remember very little of the specific things we learned in her classes, (except for the stories about Mr. Mugs!), but what I do remember was the atmosphere. It was a warm and loving place where you could have fun, learn and feel comfortable. I remember hugs and feeling cared for. I met Mrs. Shyba a few years ago on the street, and was not surprised, (for that was the kind of person she was), but still touched to find that she remembered me. She was a dear human being and a Master teacher. May God bless her.
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