Darlene Helen Bourdin

On Thursday morning, July 16, Darlene Bourdin (nee Frykas) passed away, peacefully in her sleep at her daughter Kym’s home in Regina, Saskatchewan. She was a month shy of her 83rd birthday. 

Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are Kymberly Bourdin, son-in-law Carey Isaak, and the two lights of her life, grandchildren Alexander Isaak and Sarah-Anne Isaak.
Darlene is survived by sisters Alice (Eric) Sparrow, Nadean (Martin) Bobinski, Pat Wozny and brother Garry (Debbie) Frykas and sisters-in-law Sylvia Frykas and Anne Frykas. Darlene also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. 

She is also survived by her Bourdin family: Irene Dheilly, Velda Bradley, Dennie Radcliffe, Mary Lynne Bourdin and Ron and Jackie Bourdin and their children.

She was predeceased by her husband John Bourdin, parents Andrew and Annie (nee Bilinski) Frykas, brothers Victor and Ed Frykas, brother-in-law Bill Wozny, niece Angelene Young, nephew Derek Frykas, stepson Lionel Bourdin and stepsons-in-law Bob Bradley, Ron Radcliffe, Peter Moroz and Paul Dheilly. 

Darlene (Daria) Helen Frykas was born August 12, 1943 on the family farm in Mink Creek, Manitoba where her parents farmed an acreage with fields of wheat backing onto the Mink Creek.

Mom’s fondest farm memories come from the surrounding fruit orchards of cherry, pear, grapes, a variety of apples and raspberry, strawberry and gooseberry bushes. Their shaded paths and vegetable gardens were part of everyday life and created a love and passion for gardening she would always nurture. Angry geese chasing her in those days, on the other hand, not so much.

Mom was an athlete in her youth, playing wicked first base in softball and goalkeeping in soccer. Her education included Ruskin School in Mink Creek, Ethelbert Collegiate, continued courses in Galahad, Alberta, hair dressing certificate in Brandon and Home Care Aide in RRC Polytech in Dauphin. She enjoyed more than 30 years of work at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home in Dauphin as a housekeeper and a homecare aide, making close friends with colleagues, nuns and residents. 

She was a loving wife and companion to John for 34 years. Even longer when you consider that his spirit lived along side her, in her heart, from the day he died in July 2009 until her recent passing.

Mom always had a keen sense of style and was particular about her hair. While the hair styles changed over the years, what didn’t change was her generous use of big cans of Sudden Beauty and Aqua Net hairspray adding ‘necessary’ extra body and volume at any given time of day.

In her earlier years, mom loved reading, crossword/word find puzzles, paper tole art; Kym hangs these lovely pieces in her home. She was an excellent cook and baker, always sending care packages home with visitors. She maintained her great sense of humour, playfulness and good nature throughout her life. And especially important to her was her faith in God and regularly attending St. Viator’s Roman Catholic Church.

Mom had a forceful inner strength, especially when put to task. After a debilitating stroke in 2011, she couldn’t talk and was told she would never walk again. Through hard work, determination and stubbornness, she learned to talk and walk again, parking the wheelchair for sensible walking shoes and a walker. For years, she lived independently in her last home, Moutainview Villa, amongst friends and a wonderful community. 

Most of all, she was simply herself: wonderful mother, wife, sister, baba, aunt, good neighbor and friend. 

Cremation has taken place. A mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 6 at St. Viator’s Church, 307 Whitmore Ave. E., Dauphin. Interning her ashes will take place in Riverside Cemetery immediately after the mass. A celebration of life reception will be held at the church after that. The family encourages anyone who has had the privilege to know and love her to please come and remember her with us. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, or the Dauphin & District Handivan Association Inc.

“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever.”

This service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend.

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