Obituary of Dolly Sopiwnyk

Our precious mom, grandma, aunt, cousin and friend, Dolores “Dolly” Sopiwnyk of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the age of 84.

She was born Dolores Alice Howenka in Regina, SK on November 11, 1937. Dolly was predeceased by her parents, Sophie and John Howenka. She married her husband, Jack Flaman in 1955, and they lived together in Regina until Jack’s death in 1978. In 1988, Dolly married Orrest Sopiwnyk, who predeceased her in 2013.  She was also predeceased by her brother, Billy Howenka, and her sisters, Mary Thonger, Josephine Flaman, and Madge Nowak. 

Dolly is survived and will be greatly missed by her two sons, Curtis (Shawn) Flaman, of Winnipeg, MB and their children Michael (Cassie), Brian (Tyler), and Kara (Eddie); and Darcy Flaman (Angela Zborosky), of Regina, SK and their children Jaxon and Noah; as well as one great-grandchild, Michael and Cassie’s son, Luke. Dolly is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as numerous friends.

Dolly was a kind and generous soul who was loved by all who were lucky enough to know her.  She may have been the youngest of four girls growing up, but Dolly devoted her life to caring for others. As her mother advanced in age and her health declined, Dolly brought her into their home to care for her.  With her husband, Jack, her sisters Jo and Madge, and later with her husband, Orrest, Dolly was right by their sides, providing care and comfort, until the end.

While caring for others, Dolly worked full-time, most recently with the Federal Government as a Manager and Clerk for the Citizenship Court, where she took pride in her role in having new Canadians take an oath of citizenship. However, in 1996, she gave up that career to take on a new one, babysitting her new grandson, Jaxon, and later, Noah, in 2000.  Grandma Dolly soon expanded her caregiver role by taking on doggy day-care duties, looking after Ripley, Rocky and Boomer.

Dolly was known for her quick wit and wicked sense of humour (which was a little “salty” sometimes, much to the delight of the grandsons).  A very social person, Dolly made friends everywhere she went. This included during her annual sojourn to Hawaii with Orrest.  They made the trip every winter for over two decades and developed several close friendships there.  Of course, Dolly and Orrest also brought friends and family down to Hawaii with them and took joy in introducing them to their Hawaii friends and all of their favorite restaurants. She also enjoyed a wide circle of friends back at home, socializing over coffee and going out for Sunday brunches.

Dolly’s sons, Darcy and Curtis, sincerely thank all of the friends and family members who visited Dolly, especially over the last few years. Your presence comforted Dolly and brightened her day. In addition, a big thank you and loads of gratitude go to the management and staff of William Albert House, who provided wonderful care to Dolly during her final 6 years, going well beyond her physical care to meet her emotional and spiritual needs.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022, at St. Peter’s Church, 100 Argyle Street North, Regina, Saskatchewan. For those not able to physically attend, a livestream may be viewed at https://youtu.be/98bviYc09_s. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer Society Saskatchewan or the Regina Humane Society.