Tribute

Elaine Romaniuk (nee Boyce)

May 10, 1959 – December 11, 2024

It is with great sadness and shock that we mourn the passing of Elaine. Mixed with the sorrow, Elaine leaves behind a legacy of joy for all who knew her.

Elaine was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1959 and lived there until 1966 when she moved with her family to Burnaby, BC. Elaine graduated from Burnaby South in 1977.

In her youth Elaine swam competitively, was a keen field hockey player, sang with the church choir and collected stray animals – including a baby pigeon. She joined CGIT where she met her closest and longest friend, Nancy Jasamanidse.

Her involvement with Gordon Presbyterian Church continued even after she moved to Oliver, as she served on the church’s board of directors.

Elaine has always loved animals. She has owned cats, dogs, birds and/or tropical fish throughout her life. Not all of Elaine’s animals were live, as she has an impressive collection of elephants.

Elaine started work very young when she spent several summers at Pleasant Valley Recreation Centre in Penticton. Her banking career started with Scotia Bank and the credit union for Pacific Press. She subsequently worked at Envision and finally with Osoyoos Credit Union.

It was while working at Pacific Press that Elaine met the love of her life: Bob Romaniuk. They married in 1985 and had their son Adam in 1989.

All who knew Elaine will remember her for her joie de vivre. She loved driving and “discovered” many obscure routes in her travels, which usually included many rough roads, much laughter, and often a garbage dump. She revelled in teaching her son, niece and nephew to swim and dive in her parent’s pool in Osoyoos. She was often heard cheering or applauding as she supported the children of family and friends in their sporting or cultural endeavours. More recently much of her excitement came from fishing.

Family meant everything to Elaine. She always supported and loved her parents, Adam, Bob, and his siblings and their children, and Christine and her family. Elaine always managed to find just the right card or gift for everyone to ensure everyone knew how special they were to her.

Elaine loved going to Canucks games or cheering them on while watching them on TV, usually while on the phone with Nancy (who was long distance initially), sharing the team’s wins and losses. If she couldn’t cheer on the Canucks her next favourite team was the Chicago Black Hawks.

Elaine is predeceased by her father, Bob Boyce, and most recently by her mother Pat Boyce. She is survived by her husband Bob, her son Adam, her sister Christine (Brian), her nephew Alan (Melissa), step-niece Chelsea (Brody), great-nephews Henry, Leo, and step-nephews/nieces Morgan, Taylor, and Bentley.

Bob and Adam wish to thank all her friends, colleagues and neighbours for all their support over the past year. The visits from Nancy and Albert, Debbie and Anna, the food and visits from her co-workers at OCU, and the members of her book club kept up her spirits and were much appreciated.

A celebration of life will be held in May.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Penticton Regional Hospital Oncology Department or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Nunes – Pottinger Funeral Service and Crematorium.