Zinnia Katherine Tymchuk (née Teresio) passed away in the early hours of December 31, 2022, at the age of 99 years.

Zinnia is survived by her son, Don Tymchuk (Bonnie Jean) of Red Deer, AB; and her daughter, Sylvia (Bill) Terry of Sherwood Park, AB. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great granddaughters.

Zinnia was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Maria and Peter Teresio; and siblings, Andrew, Edward and Olga (Brunelle).

Zinnia was born on August 2, 1923, the youngest child of Maria and Peter Teresio. A daughter of immigrant parents from Ukraine, Zinnia grew up on a small farm in the community of Two Hills, AB. She married Charles Tymchuk in 1941 at the age of 17 years. While he was serving as a flight sergeant in the Canadian Air Force, she attended secretarial school in Edmonton. Zinnia, however, desired a more challenging career. With only seven weeks of training, she was sent to the Grande Prairie School Division in the little town of Sexsmith. There, she boarded with a family and taught grades 1-8 in a one room school.

Zinnia had an exemplary teaching career and retired in 1979. A wonderful cook, mother and matriarch to five generations, she was loved by all who knew her, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great granddaughters. She was a great example to her family who watched her care for her husband, Charles, after he suffered a stroke. She was elegant, classy and well versed in politics and world affairs. She could find something in common and carry on a conversation with anyone she met. She loved all people unconditionally and was an advocate for women’s rights. She had a major role in women being able to continue teaching after marriage. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family who learned so much from this remarkable lady.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 6, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2090 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park.