Olga Cowan

Olga passed away peacefully as she slept, like she wanted, at the age of 102 at her care home near Saskatoon. She lived a long and fully ripe life, and she will be missed dearly by all her family, friends and all whom she touched.

Olga (Ollie) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised on the family farm just outside the city. She was the last surviving of 5 children born to Rosa and Gregory Bahrychuk who had immigrated to Canada from Ukraine and the Czech Republic. She has many nieces and nephews who continue their family legacy in Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her husband Robert Cowan in 1982. They moved to Saskatoon in the early 1970’s.

Ollie had 3 children Marcia (Rob), Susan and Glenn (Mary Lou) and 4 grandchildren Katie, Spencer, Dustin and Shelley. Ollie was affectionately known by her children and grandchildren as ‘Nanny’.

Ollie lived in Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatoon, working from the time she graduated high school until she retired in 1984. She worked for the Community Aid Centre in Saskatoon for many years before she retired. Ollie was particularly proud of her volunteer role in the founding and administration of the Saskatoon Farmers Market. In the 1970’s Ollie proposed the idea of a farmer’s market in Saskatoon and was instrumental in its planning, development and operation over several years.

Ollie had a curious spirit and travelled widely throughout Canada and the U.S. Her travels brought her to Spain and Morocco, and she was able to visit Russia and Ukraine in 1997 where she visited her parent’s ancestral homeland. In addition, she was a dedicated member of, travelled with, and learned with friends in the Horticultural society in Saskatoon.

Ollie’s lifelong love and passion was gardening. She carefully nurtured and cultivated her flower garden beside her condo at Arbor Green in Saskatoon where she lived, made many friends and gardened from 2001 to 2023 until her 100th birthday!

Her family would like to thank the dedicated staff and nurses at her Cozy Nest Care Home who provided compassionate care and comfort in the final months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name as per her request to the Saskatoon Community Clinic Foundation.

I’ve got my name on the river,  I’ve got my name on the sea,

I’ve got my name on the summer skies,  they all belong to me.

I’ve got my name on the violets, that grow in their corner fair,

And wherever Nature has planted peace, my name is written there.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to have been entrusted with Olga's care.