Obituary of Jeannie Holowaty
In Loving Memory Of Jeannie Holowaty
Jean Margaret Holowaty was born on January 8, 1951, in Lestock, Saskatchewan. She was the youngest of two daughters born to John and Margaret Carmichael. Her early years were spent in the home her father built, nestled just down the hill from her beloved grandparents. Jeannie held fond memories of those days and often walked up the hill with a jam pail in hand, eager to visit.
In 1958, Jeannie began her education at Westmore Country School, where her mother was her teacher. She then attended Allenby School from Grade 2 to Grade 5. The family later moved to their own farm, and the girls began busing to Wishart School, where Jeannie graduated from in 1969.
Growing up, Jeannie was deeply involved in farm life and participated in 4-H Beef, where she frequently earned ribbons. In her later school years, she proudly cheered for the football team. After graduating, she packed up her blue push-button automatic Dodge—fondly named Bertha—and headed to Regina, where she began working at Regina General Hospital.
Jeannie went on to enroll in and complete the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and soon began working at University Hospital in Saskatoon. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Melvin Holowaty. Jeannie and Mel were married in September 1972 and made their home in Wadena. Jeannie began what would become a long and dedicated nursing career at Wadena Hospital, Wadena, SK.
Jeannie embraced married life wholeheartedly, enjoying camping, travelling, curling, and being part of the vibrant Wadena community. Never one to shy away from something new, she even enrolled in adult swimming lessons at the local pool and learned to swim. In 1974, Jeannie became a mother with the birth of her daughter Julie, followed by the arrival of her son James in 1980.
A woman of remarkable determination, and with the support of her parents caring for James and Mel looking after Julie, Jeannie returned to school in Saskatoon to become a Registered Nurse. This achievement was no small feat and speaks volumes about her strength, dedication, and character—both as a person and as a nurse.
Always up for an adventure, Jeannie later spearheaded a nursing journey that took her to North Carolina and, in 2000, further along the coast to Halifax, where she worked at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Jeannie and Mel eventually returned to Wadena, where she continued to persevere in her roles as caregiver, nurse, and now a cherished “Grammie.”
Jeannie officially retired from Wadena Hospital on May 15, 2013—only to be rehired casually two weeks later on June 1. Retirement didn’t last long. She officially resigned on June 8, 2018, but once again answered the call to care, returning to work with the Fishing Lake First Nation Chamkun Health Centre from 2019 to 2023.
While Jeannie truly loved her identity as a nurse, she also loved to laugh, dance, travel, tend to flowers, spend time with friends, and enjoy a good shopping trip. Throughout her life, Jeannie modelled what it meant to be a compassionate, kind, and hardworking nurse. She was never afraid to take risks and loved her family deeply and wholeheartedly.
Jeannie was predeceased by her: parents, John and Margaret Carmichael, and her beloved husband, Mel Holowaty.
Jeannie is lovingly remembered by her: children, Julie (Rob) Hamilton and James (Lindsey) Holowaty; her sister, Joanne (Gordon) Pitre; and her cherished grandchildren, William, Karma, Kiefer, Aonghas Hamilton, and Drew Holowaty. She also leaves behind many cousins, relatives, in-laws, friends, neighbours, and colleagues who were touched by her kindness and care.
Jeannie, Mom, Grammie: “we love you with all of our heart”
XOXO
Celebration Of Life
11:00 a.m.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Wadena Community Legion Hall
Wadena, SK
Those wishing to send cards
of caring & sympathy may send them to
The Family of Jeannie Holowaty
P.O. Box 1136
Wadena, SK S0A 4J0
Donations in memory of Jeannie
may be made to
Wadena Health Action Group
or
Pleasant View Care Home Residents Council
Those wishing to attend the Funeral Service virtually may do so by viewing the livestream through the link posted on Ida's Obituary on www.narfasons.com
Please click here to view live stream
If their is insufficient service at the funeral service, the livestream video will be uploaded at a later time once we gain sufficient service.
Above is the link to view the live stream. You have to register before gaining access to the waiting room. Registering can be done at any time but we recommend doing it in advance in case of any problems. If you do not have an email or mobile phone number when registering you will need to call 1-877-895-2739. The support staff at Forget Me Not Ceremonies will provide you with a code to gain access to it.
