Kathryn (Klymko) Pankewitz

Kathryn (Kay) passed away peacefully on December 7th, 2024, after living a full and healthy life. Born on February 24th, 1927, in Mlyny, Poland, first daughter of her parents, Peter and Mary Klymko, she was one year old when her father, Peter, emigrated by himself to Canada in search of a new life for his family in the farming communities of the prairies in western Canada. After four years of saving every penny, Peter had earned enough money to bring his wife, Mary, and daughter, Kay, to Canada aboard the ship Montcalm, landing in Montreal in 1931, and then across Canada by rail. Peter and Mary worked at various farms in the Calmar area, and a second daughter, Jeannette was born in 1936. Finally in 1940, they had saved enough to buy their own farm, just east of Sunnybrook, and in 1942, a third daughter, Elizabeth arrived. This farm has remained in the family today.

Kay and her sisters worked hard along with their parents supporting the farm. Kay attended school up to grade 9.

In 1946, Kay married John Pankewitz. They settled in Sunnybrook where she worked with John in their garage known as the Sunnybrook Service Station and supported John in Panky's Sand and Gravel.

Kay and John were blessed with four children : Reginald (Linda), Sylvia (Pierre Crevolin) Judy, Danny (Chris); seven grandchildren : Jeffrey, Chad, Michelle (Spencer), Patrick (Maggie), Catrina (Lee), Tyler (Megan) and Tiffany (Jesse); and fourteen great grandchildren : Noella, Isaac, Max, Owen, Miles, Reid, Xavier, Greta, Jax, Tayze, Blaze, Breely, Kace, and Whitley.

Kay was predeceased by John in 1994, and brother-in-law Glen Smith in 2022. She is survived by all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, sister Jeanette, sister Elizabeth (George Ostapchuk), numerous nieces and nephews, and cousin Katarzyna Kowala in Poland.

Kay lived a healthy life. She was an awesome cook, known for her cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes, head cheese and her renowned poppyseed chiffon cake. She was a hard working lady and loved spending time outside with a large garden, plenty of potatoes, carrots, and peas. She loved her roses, dahlias and other flowers.

In her last few weeks, Kay fell ill and was not able to live on her own. She realized she would lose her hard-fought independence, and her family is comforted to know that she left this life on her own terms.

Expressions of gratitude and love are graciously extended to the staff and residents of the Cloverleaf Manor who were always checking in and helping to make Kay's final days pleasant. The family would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Devon Hospital for their care of Kay during her short time in the hospital.

A private family gathering celebrating Kay's life will be held at a later date.