Obituary of Theresia Philippine Novenski

Theresia Phillipine Schwab was born on April 27, 1928 in Revenue, SK to parents Wendelin and Magdalena, fifth of 15 children.  She left home after Grade 12 at the age of 18 to come to Regina and attend Balfour for a Business Course.

In April 1948, she married Joe Novenski.  They were married for 48 years at the time of his passing in 1996.  In 1950, along with her father and siblings they built their 2-bedroom, 624 square foot house at 969 Elphinstone and proceeded to fill it up.  The house was small with three children, Bev, Donna and Darrell, but she made room for the grandpa’s to stay awhile whenever needed.  Relatives coming through town would stop at Aunt Theresia’s for a visit, a coffee and sandwich or a spot on the floor to sleep over.  Theresia lived in that house for 73 years.

Theresia worked at Sears until the children were born.  In addition to handling all of the childcare, domestic, and fix-it duties, she helped in the community with Brownies, Guides and her church.

Sacred Heart was a few blocks away and Theresia was very involved in her parish.  Weekday morning mass, CWL, choir, church bazar, collection counting, working in the kitchen, selling tickets to the suppers.  It was her life blood. 

If it involved a needle, thread, material or wool she could sew a dress, crochet, knit, or make a craft.  Many a visitor left for home gifted with a pair of Theresia’s slippers.  If it had a hole, she could mend it and it was said that she could take a hole and make a pair of jeans out of it.  She crafted many quilts on her own and with the quilting group at Sacred Heart which were then raffled off at the fall bazar.

Theresia was a re-user to the ‘nth’ degree long before the 3R’s were in Vogue.  She could make something out of nothing.  No matter what strange item you were looking for she had it saved in the garage or basement, and she knew exactly where to find it, because you never know when that might come in handy someday.

When the grandchildren came along, she became Nana Tessie.  Her and dad babysat all of them at some point.  The kids got to go along to morning mass, walk to the Army & Navy and stop at McDonalds on the way home for lunch.

Theresia loved puzzles.  For years there was always a jigsaw puzzle on a table in the living room.  She enjoyed crosswords, Sudoku and word searches.  Although they became more difficult, she still did word searches most days right until the last few weeks.

Theresia had a learners’ license, but they never owned a car. They either walked or took the bus.  Childhood trips to Revenue so she could help around her parents’ house consisted of her with three small children on her lap on the Greyhound bus hoping some nice passenger would be sitting beside her and offer an extra lap.

The rosary was a mainstay for her.  Growing up as kids we had to say it along with her before bed.  She liked that more than we did.  It was a life-long daily devotion.  There was a decade for each of her children and their families and the other two went to whomever she thought needed prayers.  She took her last breath at the end of the last decades Glory Be. 

In her later years, age and health limited her mobility.  We, her children, are so grateful to those of you family, friends and neighbors who just dropped by to say hello.  She may not have remembered the thread that connected you, or your name, but it meant so much to her and brightened her day enormously.

Our family wants to thank from the bottom of our hearts, two very special women, Iolanda DeCosmo and Marva Laturnas. Iolanda is mom’s neighbor who became her lifelong friend.  Without her kindness, generosity, eagle eye and vigilance, it would not have been possible for mom to live independently in her home for as long as she did.  For that we will be eternally grateful. When mom moved into Wascana Rehab, as a LTC temporary placement in February of this year, her roommate was Marva Laturnas.  She was our eyes and ears when were unable to be there, watching out and speaking up for her.  A lucky break for our family and we are very grateful.

Theresia lived simply, worked hard, gave generously of her time and her heart.   She saved, made do, did without so that she could give.  What was important to her was her family and her church.  The last nine months were very challenging for her.  Theresia was a trooper.  She took it in stride.  She did her best every day right until the end.

Love you mom - Rest in Peace

Theresia is predeceased by her husband Joe, son-in-law Roger Allsopp, parents, siblings, in-laws, family, friends and neighbors.

Theresia leaves behind:  her daughters Bev and Donna, her son Darrell (Brenda).  Her grandchildren, Paul (Tanya) Novenski, Tasha (Shatner) Flostrand, Sarah (Joe) Gates, Matthew Taylor, Amanda Chay (Gabe), Rachelle Chay.  Great grandchildren, Shayna, Fallyn, Sarek, Freya, Kenzie, Nataya, Andrew, Christopher, Anna, Brianna, Zachery. One sister Eva Dionne and two sisters-in-law Sally Schwab and Margie Schwab.  Family, friends and neighbors.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024 St. Peter Catholic Church, 100 Argyle Street. In lieu of flowers, if you so wish donations in Theresia’s memory may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church 100 Argyle St Regina, SK S4R 4C3 or etransfer:  stpete@sasktel.net.