Today our hearts are broken. Sonia passed away peacefully in the hospital with her children by her side. Sonia is survived by her children – Melanie (Darrell) Wilvers & Ryan (Nissa) Rywak; 2 grandchildren – Kaden Sczesny & Kasia Sczesny; brother Roger (Irene) Burak; sister Roseanne (Brian) Macphee; and numerous nieces & nephews.
Sonia was sadly predeceased by her husband of 55 years Larry Rywak whom she lost 10 months ago; parents Peter & Josie Burak; brother Dan (Violet) Burak; brother-in-law John Rywak; sisters-in law Mildred Rywak, Margaret (Sam) Iwanika, Helen (Karl) Zilinski, Ann (Steve) Porfon, Albina Hula; nephews Randy Iwanika & Dennis Porfon; and niece Kristen Burak.
Sonia worked for 26 years as a secretary in the Education department at the University of Alberta before retiring with Larry over 18 years ago where they enjoyed their
retirement golfing both here & in Palm Springs.
Sonia loved her family more than anything. Her love for her men at Broadmoor Golf Course where she volunteered every Wednesday for more than 10 years was close
behind. She loved baking cookies for them every week and enjoyed all the love they gave her.
Sonia always made time for her friends and family and they all knew that she would
always be there for them. She loved volunteering and was always helping people
wherever she could. She just wanted everyone to be happy. That was very important to her. Please don’t be sad for her, she’s back in the arms of her first & only love Larry.
We want to extend a special thank you to all the staff in unit 51 at the Grey Nun’s Hospital for your incredible support for Sonia & her children during her short stay there, especially Dr. Cox & Dr. Hoffart, med student Cassandra, nurses Sales, Marjorie, Murray & Keri. You took such good care of her in her final days and were so kind and gentle to her.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at 1:00pm at St. Sophia Catholic Church, Baseline Rd, RR224, Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Please accept my most sincere condolences to the whole family. Sonja was an amazing individual with a huge heart. Her presence will be greatly missed.
Miss you already Sonia. What an amazing lady. Cookies were awesome and you as a person were extremely caring and genuine. Everytime I play in the club championship when I go down 15 and look for my ball in the trees I know you will be there helping me find my ball. You will be missed Sonia but always remembered.
Sonia your wonderful attitude great cookies and sleigh of hand taking our mens night money and putting money in one box then taking some money and putting some in another box and always having the right amount it was like magic we had so many laughs watching you do this every Wednesday say Hi to Larry and tell him we have quite a few rules questions for him, we all sure loved you. Glen,larry,norm,stan,rick,gord,payton,jamie,al,kevin.
I only knew Sonia through golfing at Broadmoor. She was so very kind and referred to the men’s club golfers as her men. Her enthusiastic manner in registering members every Wednesday rain or shine was so impressive. An important role that she joyfully volunteered to do. I will miss her and her warm welcome. Sonia and Larry were valued members and friends of those that knew them. God bless them. I will always remember their dedication to the golfers at Broadmoor.
Sonia we will miss you so much. Thank you for that very special hug and crying session we both had my first day back after losing my wife. You were a very special person to all of the men from broadmoor men’s league
Rest in peace and no more pain
Sonja will be remembered by me as a caring supportive leader. Her organization skills will be missed at the Broadmoor Golf Course. She always put others ahead of herself.
Simply the Best! And someone I will think often, especially when I’m playing golf at Broadmoor and I either hit one in the trees on 15 (where she would often spot in the Club Championship) or make a birdie and celebrate with “Birdie Juice”. She was a light in a world that is often in needed of it, and she will be deeply missed.
Sincerest condolences to Sonia’s family. She was a very special lady that warmed our hearts on the first tee every Wednesday. Always a warm smile and a personal greeting for us all. A bunch of rough and tumble guys brought down to earth by our sweet Sonia. Greatly missed and forever remembered in our hearts.
I am very sorry for your loss, Sonia was a great lady and will be missed. I’m sorry I can’t be there on Saturday but will be thinking about her.
Sonia
It was an honour knowing both you and Larry.
Both of you will be missed but certainly not forgotten.
You for your smile and cookies and Larry for his laugh and wisdom especially with the rules of golf.
It was an honour to have known you both.
Cheers
My deepest sympathies to the entire Rywak family. Sonia was a wonderful person full of joy and happiness. Sonia will be deeply missed by the Men’s club. Sonia and Larry did so much for our club asking for nothing in return. We can all learn a lesson in kindness to others from both of them.
I have had the pleasure to know Sonia for 6 years as part of the Sherwood Park Men’s night. Her cookies were one thing but her positive attitude and joy were the real reason that we loved seeing her there.
She was a person that made other people smile instantly and that’s a true gift in world that can too often be cold. My thoughts and prayers with the family thanks for sharing such a wonderful lady with our community.
As a member of the Broadmoor men’s club I can attest that Sonia brought a bright light to every Wednesday night. She was a wonderful lady and on behalf of our foursome; Laine Colman, Ken Fewchuk, Mike Tuomi and Mike Oswald, I send our sincere condolences to the family.
Such a beautiful soul. Sonya will be sadly missed by all the members of the Broadmoor Men’s club. RIP Sonya