Veronica (Renee) Yanitski (Hyshka)
April 21, 1921 – January 1, 2016
Veronica Yanitski, nee Hyshka
and also known as Renee, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 1st, 2016, at 94 years of age. She was predeceased by her husband Peter, son Jerry and eight of her nine siblings. She is survived by her granddaughter Katrina, her sister Sanni, and numerous nieces and nephews. In her own words, “everyone was her favourite!”
Having been raised on a farm in northeastern Alberta, Renee was especially fond of animals. Her best friend, Blacky the cat, predeceased her by one week. She was known for her sense of humour, quick wit, generosity, and kindness.
Upon leaving the farm, she worked in food services – first in Bonnyville and then in Edmonton – before becoming a proud resident of Salt Spring Island in 1991. Here she quickly made friends with the Ladies Auxiliary Thrift Store, the Royal Legion, members of Our Lady of Grace Parish, and many more. Cooking and baking were her passions, as well as gardening, knitting, embroidery and crocheting. She kept a fine house, excelling in treating whomever came by with tasty and generous treats from her Ukrainian kitchen. At the Saturday Market, where she kept a table till 2001, her delicious baked goods were savoured by many local and visiting gourmands.
Thank you ever so much, to Dr. Butcher and team, all of the dedicated and caring staff at Beacon community home support and the daycare personnell at Braehaven, that allowed Renee to stay in her home for an extra four years, prior to moving into Lady Minto Extended Care.
A celebration of Renee’s life will be held on May 14th, 2016, at 12:00pm at the Royal Legion, with the Panakhyda, a traditional Ukrainian service, by Father Edward Evanko.