Penny Lee Hawryluk, longtime resident of Grande Prairie, AB and Bezanson, AB, passed away Monday, August 17, 2020, at the age of 58 years, at Prairie Lake Hospice, with her sister Joyce by her side. Although our hearts are breaking at the thought that our “Princess Penny” will no longer be with us, we are relieved that she is no longer suffering the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s.

Penny was born November 20, 1961 in Grande Prairie and grew up on the family farm in Bezanson. At age eight, she attended a school for special needs in Grande Prairie, The Peace School of Hope. Penny resided at The Barry Dale Home through the week and returned home to Bezanson on weekends and holidays. This was a positive experience for Penny in most ways, as she formed lifelong friendships and was part of a large network and community of special needs friends.

Penny lived a happy, carefree childhood at home on the farm where she was loved and cherished by her whole family. The fact that Penny had Down Syndrome never held her back, even though it made our life’s journey together more challenging.

Penny’s cheerful, sunny nature, sense of humour and fun, love of music and dancing, joy in spending time with family and friends, capacity to whole heartedly forgive, propensity to operate only on “Penny time”, funny little giggle, and infectious smile will always remain in our hearts.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sisters: Maxine (Jim) Robertson, Diane (Dave) MacDonnell, and Joyce (Tom) Thompson; brother John (Marilyn) Hawryluk; nieces and nephews: Deanna (Brian) Reiswig, David (Erika) Robertson, Jocelyn (Jim) Plakas-Lock, Kandis (Chad) Lock-Delorey, Shawndel Hawryluk, and T.J. (Julie) Hawryluk; step-nieces and nephews: Melanie (Chris) Fix, Tasha (Keir) McIntyre and Landon (Kate) Thompson; great-nieces and nephews; her Group Home Family; as well as many cousins and friends.

Penny was predeceased by her parents Bohdan and Ellen (nee Ford) Hawryluk, brother in-law Terry Lock, and her best friend and longtime roommate Laura Nadu.

Penny’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at 2:00pm at Oliver’s Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Glen Leslie Cemetery.

Unfortunately, due to COVID19 restrictions, attendance is by invitation only. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed. The link will be available 15 minutes before the service on Penny’s obituary page at oliversfuneralhome.com.

Social distancing and hand sanitizer protocols will be followed and mask use is recommended, masks will be supplied.

Memorial donations may be made to Mental Health Foundation (6th Flr, 9942 108 St., Edmonton, AB, T5K 2J5), or a charity of one’s choice.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com

• Date : 2020-08-17
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

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