Myrtle Jean (Myrt) Derbowka (nee Kopan) 1937 – 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mom on December 27, 2024. She was born in Theodore on December 9th, 1937, to John and Nellie Kopan (Daciw). She grew up alongside her brother Richard in Theodore until she moved to Yorkton where she worked, got married, raised her family, retired and then moved to Okotoks, AB, in 2017.
Mom had several careers – from working as a Nurse’s Aid, to her time running the Housekeeping Department in the old Holiday Inn, working as an emergency operator at SecurTek - to working with the RCMP and Social Services helping children at risk – which was by far the position she was most passionate about.
After retiring, Mom loved spending time sitting out on the back deck with a coffee, looking over her beautiful flowers, and watching all the birds come and go.
Another of Mom’s favourite pastimes was curling; from playing in bonspiels and regular games when she was younger to watching all the bonspiels and championships that she could, even volunteering at the local rink when the opportunity arose.
In her later years, you would most likely find her sitting in her recliner watching curling or baseball on TV. She even got to see her favourite team, “The Toronto Blue Jays,” play live. Mom was even known to enjoy spending time playing coin VLTs at casinos with her mom and family.
She will be missed for many reasons by all who knew and loved her. We truly admired her quick wit, sense of humour, positive outlook and caring disposition.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, John and Nellie Kopan; former spouse, Ed Derbowka; and companion, Don Neudorf.
She leaves behind to celebrate her life; daughter Bonnie; son Kevin (Liz); daughter Terrilyn (Jason), her grandchildren Melanie, Brendan, Riley, Megan, Gabrielle, Rachel, Eric, and Lauren; great-grandchildren Matilda, Deacon, Amelia, and Owen; brother Richard (Nordie); nephew Jason (Trish), and niece Jackie.
“Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed, and forever dear.”
