Obituary of Frances Boryski

Our lives will never be the same. Today, we lost our mother, Frances (nee Pampu) Boryski, June 21, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband, parents and siblings. Left to honour mom’s memory are her daughters, Michelle (Rick) Koshinsky, their children Kelsey (Landon) and Kirkland, Lisa Boryski and her daughter Megan (Gareth), and Janice MacNab (Scott) and her children Matthew and Avery as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Mom was born on her parent’s homestead near Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan on March 14, 1940. At age 18, she worked as a SaskTel telephone operator in Blaine Lake. There, she met her future husband of 62 years, Arthur Boryski. Their life together began in Krydor, then Saskatoon and eventually, Regina.

 

Mom helped support her family by working in care homes, bookkeeping and cooking at the Zeller’s restaurant, The Skillet. Mom was a gourmet cook who could always make a delicious meal out of nothing. Her expert skills as a seamstress kept her family clothed by mending and altering clothing passed on to her. Mom always put her children first, that is until we gave her grandchildren that she could not have loved more.

 

Card game opponents including her friends and grandchildren regularly found themselves quickly defeated; the sting soothed by a fresh slice of pie, a cup of coffee and another round. Kings Corners and Kaiser were always her favourites. Visitors always left with goodie bags of fresh cinnamon buns, pies, cookies, chiffon cake and jelly rolls. Mom’s phone frequently rang with calls from loved ones sharing news from home, or asking for cooking advice and words of encouragement.

 

Being miles away from friends and family didn’t stop Frances from bringing trunk loads of baking to support those who had lost a loved one or making wedding cakes and flowers for family celebrations. Her support could always be counted on. When mom referred to “home” we knew she meant the Blaine Lake – Marcelin district because that’s where her roots and heart were.

 

Our mom didn’t have an easy life but she always reminded us that there was someone else who wasn’t as fortunate. There was never a time she was ever concerned about herself, she always put others first. We may not have had all the material possessions others had, but we were wealthy beyond our means with the love and support our mom provided.

 

Our family would like to thank Dr. Laursen for his years of care and compassion as well as the staff at Selo Gardens Personal Care Home. At Frances’ request, donations may be made in her honour to the Department of Veterans Affairs to honour the service of her father, Alexander Pampu, in the first and second world war. A private ceremony will be held at a later date.