Funeral Prayers 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2017 Foam Lake Ukrainian Catholic Church Foam Lake, Saskatchewan Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2017 Foam Lake Ukrainian Catholic Church Foam Lake, Saskatchewan Born on September 8, 1925 in Donner’s Grove, Illinois, USA, Catherine Sylvia Sereda (nee Halyk) was the third child of Theodore and Julia (nee Korchinski) Halyk. After a brief stay in the USA, Kay moved back to Canada with her family in 1928 where she grew up in West Bend, Saskatchewan. She attended the nearby Colerane School from grades 1 to 9 and then Grade 10 in Foam Lake, living with family friends. Life on the prairies during the Great Depression was difficult but Kay endured working alongside her parents and siblings in the family grocery, hotel and farm implement dealership businesses. In 1942 Kay was off to Saskatoon where she attended High School at Nutana Collegiate and boarded at Mohyla Institute, where she made many long lasting friendships. Upon graduation from High School, Kay attended Saskatoon Business College and had her first job as a bookkeeper at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Kay returned home in 1945 to work alongside her parents in the family businesses in both West Bend and nearby Ituna. In 1946 she met the love of her life, John Sereda and the two entered holy matrimony on July 18,1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Yorkton. They lived in West Bend where they farmed with John’s brothers Bill and Metro until 1950,when they moved to Foam Lake. Working along side her father for a brief period the couple entered business together in 1953 purchasing John Rogoza’s grocery business renaming it Sereda’s General Store. It became known as “The Store Where Shopping is a Pleasure”. In 1961 the couple purchased Theo Halyk’s grocery store renaming it to Sereda’s Lucky Dollar Store. Working diligently along side her husband John, the family began to grow with the arrival of a son Ivan in 1952, a daughter Joni in 1956, Rick in 1960 and a centennial baby, Jim in 1967. Raising their family in their home at 203 Forget Street, Kay always emphasised the importance of hard work, honesty and education ensuring all of her children received a University Education. Kay worked diligently alongside her husband until the family business was sold in 1985 and a life of well-earned retirement began. The couple made many trips abroad including Hawaii, Mexico, Portugal and Florida. Kay was a devoted and lifelong member of the Foam Lake Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church and the UCWL. Her faith was a foundation for her life and she exemplified this in all that she did for our family and her community. She was also a founding member of Foam Lake’s “Perogy Making Ladies” and this group of hard working women raised thousands of dollars for the local Community Hall. In 1993 Kay lost her husband and life partner of 45 years John, after a courageous battle against cancer. Kay faced this challenge with incredible resolve and acceptance; learning to live independently – including getting her driver’s licence at age 68. In 2001 Kay moved to Saskatoon to begin the next chapter in her life. She resided at Knights of Columbus Manor for the next dozen years where she made new friends, helped organize various gatherings, continued bowling and travelled with friends and family. With declining health, Kay moved to St. Volodymyr Terrace Assisted Living and finally, Prairie Springs Personal Care Home. We remember mom as a caring compassionate person who lived a faith filled and good life. She was our role model who faced life’s challenges without complaint and with amazing grace. She will be greatly missed. Kay was predeceased by her loving husband of 45 years, John, her parents Theo and Julia Halyk, daughter, Julianna (in infancy), grandson Jonathon, sisters Lucy Popik and Nettie White and brothers, Russell (in infancy) and Dr. Russell Halyk. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law John Popik, Ken White, Elarry Chomiak and Bud Semchuk and on the Sereda side; Bill Sereda, Metro(Mary)Sereda, John Marusiak and Ann Katernick. Kay is survived by her children Ivan (Shirley), Joni (Lionel Hebig), Rick (Tracy) and Jim (Stacey) and grandchildren, Jackie, Kaitlyn, Robbie, Evan and Emma Sereda; brothers Alexander (Cecile) Halyk, Denis (Jeanette) Halyk and sister Pat Semchuk; her Sereda in-laws Sophie Marusiak, Eugenia Sereda, Mike Katernick, Steve (Maureen)Sereda, Henry(Irene) Sereda, Martin (Mary) Sereda and many nieces and nephews. God grant her eternal rest. Вічная Пам'ять.