Phyllis Helen Hudolin

Our precious mother and grandmother, Phyllis Helen Hudolin (Zahodnik) passed away peacefully and without pain on September 25th, 2018 at Southbridge Roseview Manor. 

Phyllis was born on November 18, 1924 in Sandy Lake, MB to Matthew and Mary Zahodnik. She was the third youngest child in a large, loving family of nine children. Growing up with six older brothers gave her the strength and stamina that carried her throughout her life. In 1945, she married John Hudolin and they lived and danced together until his passing in April 2012. He was the love of her life and it was time for her to join him again. 

Phyllis loved to cook in her busy Ukrainian kitchen, feeding her family with pyrohy, holupci, beet relish, borsch and baba bread. She had a creative mind and hands always sharing her work with others - knitting, crocheting, petit point, sewing, quilting, gardening and household repairs! Once her two sons were on their own and with her family’s support, Phyllis decided to return to school for upgrading and successfully began her career as a Nurse Assistant at Hogarth/Westmount Hospital. She enjoyed her second career immensely, made many longtime friends and was a dear friend to many. 

John and Phyllis loved to dance on Saturday nights but their dancing came to an end when, in 2011, Phyllis suffered a stroke which put her in a wheelchair for her remaining years. However, she was never one to give up and her physio program at Roseview was always the highlight of her day. She drew on the strength and determination instilled in her from growing up on a farm and this is what kept her going and growing in her last seven years. She was known as the “social convener and greeter” helping to put smiles on the faces of many new residents and held an executive position on the Resident Council. She was a shining light and caring, loving, nurturing Baba to her four grandchildren who will dearly miss her many stories and words of wisdom.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and utmost respect for the capable, caring staff at Southbridge Roseview. They played a huge role in making our Ma’s last six years of life meaningful and hopeful. 

Phyllis will be warmly remembered by her oldest son Richard (Mary), son Jack (Maria); grandchildren Marissa Reckmann (Lee), Jonathan (Annie), Matthew, Amy; cherished younger sister Ann Dobrowolski in Oakville and numerous loving nieces and nephews. 

Phyllis was predeceased by her loving husband John; parents Matt and Mary; older brothers Mike, John, Bill, Jim, Nick, and Paul Zahodnik; youngest sister Rosie in infancy; brother-in-law Frank Hudolin and other loved in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Phyllis’ life with be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 in the chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service time.

If friends so desire, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the J.P. Hudolin Family Fund (created in memory of John and Phyllis) at the Thunder Bay Community Foundation. www.tbcf.org.