Obituary of BOYCHUK – Linda Patricia

It is with great sadness that the family of Linda Patricia Boychuk (nee Stiller) announce her peaceful passing after a long and courageous battle with ALS on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at the Foothills Country Hospice in Okotoks. Linda was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and obtained her RN at Misericordia Hospital. She had a very interesting and varied career, working in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Fernie and Ft. St. John prior to moving to Okotoks in 1979. She accepted a position as a home care/public health nurse in Okotoks, eventually becoming Director of Homecare for that area. Linda left that position in 1994 and worked in a variety of positions in Calgary; with Calgary Family Services, Comcare, Career Designs, The Beverly Centre (Midnapore) and ended her career as Director of Care at the Fountains of Mission in downtown Calgary when the ravages of ALS took away her ability to walk and drive. Linda was a great advocate for her community in Okotoks serving three terms on Town Council, as well as serving as a volunteer for various Town committees. She was both an appointed and elected member of the Headwaters Health Authority. In addition to her professional career and community service, Linda was a loving wife, doting mother to her children and was tireless in instilling her good values, ethics and morals in their development. Linda has deeply touched many people on her journey, and will be greatly missed by her family, extended family and friends. Left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband and friend Daniel, as well their two treasures, son Michael and daughter Paige. She leaves to mourn, her brother Steve (Phyllis) of Winnipeg, and their son Steven (Heather) of Vancouver; brother-in-law Ron (Suzanne) Boychuk of Whiterock; Nelson (Susan) Boychuk of Winnipeg; Wayne of Calgary; Carl (Brenda) Smith of Winnipeg; sister-in-law Connie (Doug) Waddell of Victoria; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Kristijana and Harry Stiller, as well as her beloved niece Sherry, and her adopted mom Ferne Stutsky of Vernon. A Memorial Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2:00p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the A.L.S. Society of Alberta (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Suite 400, 320 – 23 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2S 0J2, www.alsab.ca . The Boychuk family wish to thank firstly Linda’s personal caregivers, Myrna Franks and Jessica Simpson; the ALS Society, especially Jane Rivest and Megan Blomfield; and the neurology unit at the Foothills Hospital. We also wish to thank the many Foothills Hospice personnel who helped “smooth the bumps” on Linda’s journey. Linda was surrounded by her immediate family and personal caregivers at the time of her passing. In living memory of Linda Boychuk, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.