FAMULAK, Sonja Yvonne Cook
(nee Dickins)
September 26, 1938 – September 2, 2010
Sonja passed away in Comox, BC at St. Joseph’s General Hospital on September 2, 2010 after a courageous battle against cancer. She waited for all of her children to be by her side and then peacefully slipped away.
She will be deeply missed by her oldest son Dow Famulak of Hong Kong (Angelique) and their two children Hannah and Max, daughter Daun Famulak of Vancouver (Barb Tinker), son Drew Famulak of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Cheryl) and their two children Ian and Emma, son Derek Famulak of Vancouver (Phil Carey), sister Gerie McCauley of Guelph, Ontario (Mike), nephews Keegan and Rylen McCauley of Black Diamond, Alberta, life-long best friend Merle Walters of Abbotsford, aunt Oddney Perrin of Yorkton, Sask., first cousins Lynne Onufrechuk of Calgary, Ian Perrin of O’Claire, Wisconsin (Jayne), Ashley Perrin of Otthon, Sask. (Wendy), Sylvia Soke of Saskatoon (Don), sister-in-law Florence Hook of Regina (Walter) and many more close relatives and friends. Sonja is predeceased by her mother and father Reginald and Solveig Dickins of Melville, Saskatchewan.
Sonja was born in Russell, Manitoba and raised in Spy Hill and Melville, Saskatchewan. She graduated from Melville Central High School and then trained at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan to be a Lab Technician. In 1959 she was married to Edward Famulak. They moved to Trail, BC where Dow was born, then to Winnipeg, Manitoba where Daun was born and finally settled back in Melville where the twins Drew and Derek were born. Sonja worked as the head supervisor of the Lab at St. Peter’s Hospital for many years. She then switched her supervisory role to the purchasing and housekeeping departments and attained her Commerce degree in Health Care Economics at the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. She went on to become the Executive Assistant Administrator of St. Peter’s Hospital and retired in 1991.
Soon after, Sonja and Ed moved to Penticton, BC and a few years later to Courtenay, BC on Vancouver Island. Sonja and Ed separated in 2001 and Ed survives Sonja. Sonja was actively involved in the curling, golfing and bridge clubs and her favourite hobby was Norwegian Hardanger, especially making Christmas stockings for her four grandchildren. She loved living in Courtenay and was always so proud to show her family and friends around the city. Sonja was admired by many and friends described her as a remarkable and beautiful woman. She was such a loving force in all of her children’s lives and they will cherish the memories forever. Sincere thanks to the BC Cancer Clinic in Vancouver and special thanks to Dr. McLaughlin and the staff at St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Courtenay/Comox for taking such great care of Sonja during her illness.
A memorial service for Sonja will be held September 18, 2010 at 1:30 pm. at the Blackfin Pub Banquet Room, 132 Port Augusta St, Comox. All friends welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Comox, BC or a donation of your choice.