Josephine "Josie" Barton

Josephine Elizabeth Barton born February 14, 1926, passed away peacefully in September 2021, at the age of 95 at St.Peter's Hospital in Melville, with family at her side.

She was the youngest and the last surviving child of the late Jacob and Katherine (Nahachewsky) Tysowski. She was predeceased by her first husband Frank Sopkow in 1966, her second husband Ed  in 2006, her stepson-in-law Larry Abrahamson in 1981, as well as many nieces and nephews. Her stepson-in-law Don Kent passed in June of 2022.  

Jacob and Katherine passed away respectively in 1963 and 1973. They had 11 children. Two of their daughters were deceased in infancy while the eldest son Joe passed away at 20. Josie's remaining sibblings were as follows:  Minnie(Nick)Gorchynski, Jennie (Mike) Schebywoluk), John (Mary Holowatuk), Inna (William) Gnyp, Tony (Julia Holowatuk), Albert (Rose Sopkow) and Nick (Rose Kapitski).

Josie leaves behind her step-daughter Joyce (Abrahamson) Kent of Regina, her step-daughter and stepson-in-law Marie and Ernie Evans of Cochrane, Ab; her grandchildren Crystal Abrahamson (James) Kritikos of Minot, N.D., Terri Abrahamson (Gary) Kreklewich of Regina, Doug Abrahamson (Vanessa Stockbrugger) of Calgary; Joni Evans (Brad) Stenning of MorganHill, CA, Mark Evans of Calgary; her great grandchildren Taylor (Sarah) Muz and their son Bellamy, Connor (Tabitha) Muz of Regina; Dominik Bernard of Regina; Sierra & Simone Abrahamson of Calgary; Owen and William Stenning of Morgan Hill, CA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Josie was raised on a farm in the Verigin area and went to Rona School. Josie's Dad had a store in Mikado where she met Frank and married in 1945. They lived and worked on the farm until their move to Winnipeg. After Frank's death, Josie moved back to Kamsack and resided with her Mom. Josie worked at Robinson's and looked after her Mom until her passing.

In 1973 Josie & Ed Barton were married at Little Flower Church in Regina by Father Chapeau, friend and Priest from St.Philips. A small celebration over dinner was held after the service with Joyce & Larry and their toddler Crystal, Marie & Ernie, Fr.Chapeau and their attendants Marj & Lloyd Prout in attendance. 

Josie and Ed spent their life together in Kamsack, along with Josie's cat Cinder for a part of that time. They were grateful to have wonderful neighbours on both sides of them over the years, including a few children nearby that would pop over to visit. After Ed retired, they spent holidays travelling throughout Canada and the U.S., with shorter trips to Regina and Cochrane to see family.  Josie's famous words during their travels were “look at that Ed”!  They were both so interested in the scenery, and in what others may take for granted, making their journey as eventful as their destination.  We were always glad to hear they made it to where they were heading safely with all their distractions along the way! Josie's grandchildren were the main topic of conversation which took up most of the weekly phone calls between Kamsack and Regina/Cochrane.  She was always so interested in what they were doing.  Josie had an amazing vegetable garden as well as an awesome array of flowers to brighten up the yard.  Slowly she started to have more flowers in her garden and less vegetables as it was less work and she so loved tending to her flowers. 

She went into Eaglestone Lodge when the time was right for her, however, would often sneak back to her house. When her house sold, she nicely settled into the lodge and was cared for and loved by all.  Her family was so grateful to Darlene and later Colleen at Eaglestone, and the rest of the staff, for the love given to Josie during her 9/10 years with them. The time came when she was unable to go back to Eaglestone requiring a facility that was equipped to offer more assistance.  She spent a short time at the Kamsack Nursing Home until her family was able to move her closer to them for accessibility and for anyone travelling through Melville in either direction. She was moved to St.Paul Luthern Home in Melville. She did not speak by now, however, her face lit up when she saw a friendly face or a flower and insisted on going up to it. If she noticed a leaf that was a little dry she would get a frown on her face and motion for it to be watered or she removed it. She always got her point across!  The family remains, once again, grateful for the love and care given her in Melville for her final two years. This love and care received by Josie made it easy for her to show her love by giving it back to the staff.

A funeral mass was celebrated at Little Flower Church in Regina with a small gathering afterwards

 to celebrate her life. Josie will be interned in Kamsack next to her first husband Frank.

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