Bonnie Muriel Janet Zwack

It is with great sadness but with gratitude for a life well-lived, that we announce the passing of Bonnie Muriel Janet Zwack on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the age of 84 years.

Bonnie was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on October 11, 1939, the eldest of three children of Michael and Janet Swenarchuk. From a very early age, Bonnie demonstrated an exceptional talent and passion for the piano, traveling great distances by bus each week for piano lessons. By the age of 11, Bonnie was the community pianist, providing accompaniment as well as solo performance for community events and concerts. Bonnie's talent and commitment was such that she could have become a concert pianist, but she chose instead to pursue a career in nursing in order to help others. Bonnie obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan, at a time when university training in nursing was only in its infancy. Shortly after moving to Edmonton to begin her nursing career, she met her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Zwack, an engineer, from Daysland, Alberta, at a “Nurse-Engineer Dance”. They were married in October 1962, and lived for several years in Saskatoon, where their three children were born. In 1971, they moved to Calgary, where Bonnie has lived ever since.

Throughout her nursing career, Bonnie worked for the advancement of the status of nursing as a profession, first as an acute care nurse, then as a nursing instructor, and later as a nursing manager and director. She obtained her Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Calgary in 1986. She developed many friendships with her nursing colleagues, many of whom have remained life-long friends.

Bonnie and Bob and their children were active members of the Ukrainian Orthodox church community in Calgary, taking great joy in maintaining and promoting Ukrainian cultural traditions and developing many more close friendships through this community.

Bob suffered a tragic and untimely death in 1986, following a sudden illness which resulted in his hospitalization for over two years. Bonnie was a tower of strength through this period, supporting her children to complete high school and university while also caring for Bob.

Following Bob’s death, Bonnie maintained an active and diverse life, continuing her nursing career, and travelling to Asia and Europe as part of delegations of the Canadian Nurses Association and on consulting contracts. She also traveled extensively with friends and family, throughout North America and Europe, to Ukraine, and to Australia, New Zealand and, most recently, Iceland. She was an avid reader and follower of political and world events, as well as of her beloved Toronto Blue Jays.

Throughout her life, Bonnie pursued her passion for music, both through her own playing and performing (including a performance CD), and through her attendance and support of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Calgary Opera.

Over the last 18 months, Bonnie suffered a number of physical and medical setbacks. In August 2023, she moved to Scenic Acres Retirement Village. She appreciated very much the kindness and caring of the staff.

Bonnie is survived by her three children and their spouses, Michael (Alyson), Andrea (Michael), and Kathryn (Brian), her brother Lauren Swenarchuk, her niece Larissa (Nathan), and seven grandchildren, Annalise (Derick) and Nicholas Zwack, Lindsey and Julia Vermette, and Robbie, Jack and Meskele Allison. In addition to her husband Bob, Bonnie was predeceased by her parents in 2011 and by her younger sister Michelle in 2008.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor (404 Meredith Road, NE, Calgary), on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calgary Philharmonic Society, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, or the charitable organization of your choice.

Bonnie's family would like to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Scenic Acres Retirement Village for their supportive and compassionate care. Bonnie will be much missed by her family and her many dear friends.

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