Five seniors’ projects receive $15,000 in federal funding
Donald Gene Dyck, aged 76 years of Moose Jaw, SK passed away on Thursday, May 7th, 2020. Donald was born on November 7th, 1943 in Herbert, SK. He was the youngest of 11 children. Donald married Leonora Dueck on November 28th, 1964 and they resided on the family farm, where they began their family. They left the family farm in 1971. In 1974, they moved to Moose Jaw to begin Donald’s career as a Heavy Duty Mechanic for the Department of Highways. In 1992, he and Leonora moved to Riverhurst, SK where he continued working for the Department of Highways for the surrounding area, including the Riverhurst Ferry. Here he served as the mayor for a short time. Donald retired from the Department of Highways after 30 years of service. In 2015, He and Leonora moved back to Moose Jaw.
Donald enjoyed woodworking and spent a lot of time with family and friends building and remodelling. He built many things for his family members and spent countless hours working on the remodelling of the Riverhurst Retreat. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, hunting and playing cards. Family gatherings were also very important to him.
He was predeceased by his grandson, Tim; parents, David and Katherine Dyck; brothers: Irvine (Sarah) Dyck, Clarence (Toots) Dyck, Alfred (Suzie) Dyck, John (Edna) Dyck, Verchal, and Harold (Marg) Dyck; sisters, Arlene (Doug) Funk and Caroline Reimer; and brother-in-law, Henry Funk. Donald will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Leonora; children: Rockie (Lana), Michele (Gregg), Colleen (Mark), Todd (Stacey), and Stacey (Pam); 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Herb (Nettie) Dyck; sister, Alvina Funk; and brother-in-law, Bill Reimer. Special thanks to the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital and to Providence Place in Moose Jaw for the care you provided over the last seven months.
Due to the current health situation, a Private Family Service will be held at Herbert Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Donald’s name may be made to the Alzheimer Association of Saskatchewan, 301 - 2550 – 12th Ave, Regina, SK S4P 3X1. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome. com
The United Way of Regina is providing $15,000 for five seniors’ projects in Moose Jaw as part of the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
This money is part of an overall grant of $88,000 that the federal government provided to the Regina organization so it could distribute the funding to agencies and organizations that help vulnerable seniors in the area.
Specifically, the funding is intended to help community agencies provide support to isolated seniors throughout Canada — including rural and remote communities — during the pandemic, a news release from the United Way explained. The non-profit organization provided funding to the following area groups:
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind ($2,246): to support programs primarily for individuals older than age 55 who are blind or partially sighted, using teleconference or video check-ins to reduce isolation and anxiety
• The Salvation Army ($3,877): to assess the needs of vulnerable seniors in Moose Jaw and distribute seniors’ care packages and activity kids for those identified as being at increased risk of isolation
• The Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation ($3,877): to provide healthy meals and basic cleaning services for identified high-risk seniors within the community through their tenant services department and after hours team
• Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc. ($2,500): to help seniors with physical disabilities navigate and combat social isolation and mental fatigue through telephone check-ins and technology support
• Eden Care Communities ($2,500): to provide the simple pleasures program for vulnerable seniors in longterm care, supportive independent living and personal care homes, capturing these moments in photos or video to share with their families and loved ones
The federal government provided $9 million in total under the New Horizons for Seniors Program that the United Way Canada network can distribute across the country.