Obituary of Cindy Sawatzky

Our little blue rose was born to us, Cornelius and Martha Sawatzky, on a cold, wintry Sunday afternoon on January 8, 1967.

She received her angel wings on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. in time to don her dancing slippers to lead praise and worship together with the angel choir.

She was welcomed home by Jesus = her Creator and Lord, by her brother Russell, her grandparents Benjamin & Maria Giesbrecht and John & Anna Sawatzky.

Where and how do we begin to even share the life and legacy this little lady has had on all of us? There are not enough words to remotely do justice to someone so special. There were times we questioned God about our abilities to raise a special needs child. Was it a cross or was it an honour or was it both? Acknowledging the fact that Cindy would never attain adult status as we know it was a rough acceptance and yet changed our home completely. For God to choose us as her parents to attend to one of His precious, perfect ones was an honour and a joy.

Her footprints are all over us, and we pray they never leave.

Cindy started school at six years old at Woodlawn School in the Special Education Department. Here together with her little peers, life’s skills were polished. Cindy’s caring nature shone through as she took on the role of drool wiper of her little friend Howard.

Cindy transitioned to the SRSS Special Needs Classrooms. Oh, how she loved the hallways and social aspects of this brand-new adventure. She graduated from SRSS in May 1986 having again left her footprints all over this place.

That fall she joined the workforce at Kindale Industry. Here again, in this place she found much favour in her peers and overseers, endearing herself to so many. Her famous words of calling everyone a “Toot Toot” was reflected when a staff member honoured her with her original T-shirt inscribed with the words “You are a Toot Toot”.

Cindy’s last day of work was Friday, May 12. That morning she happily stepped onto her bus. But at 1:00 p.m., she was back at home tucked in her bed not feeling well. Again Cindy has left her handprints all over this place, her friends, peers, and overseers.

We as family thank the staff, past and present friends, for being such a great and safe place to help in nurturing our girl.

Cindy’s love of sports started early in life as she played with her siblings. Basement floor hockey, pond hockey, and baseball soon took on preference. Her avid cheering and commentating put many a TV announcer to shame as she faithfully cheered on the Jets and the Blue Jays, but her most favourite team remained the Grunthal Red Wings as she cheered on her favourite player, her brother, her son as she chose to call him. Her encouraging scream, “Put the puck in the net,” was enjoyed by all. As you may realize, losing was not an option.

She may never have sat on a baseball bench, but there is no doubt her place in the stands was evident as her favorite sports pitcher threw another strikeout.

Volleyball was the school sport on top of the list, and when the Pirates made it to provincials, she made sure her beloved Cora printed her a map so that we would find our way to the next gymnasium.

Her nieces and nephews all knew they were the apple of her eye as she cheered each one on to victory.

Today they have the honour of cheering her on to her final resting place as they carry her in her brand-new bed.

Her heart and love for family and how much she cared was so very evident. When she sensed there was something not right, her concern for the situation consumed her. She had to know everyone was okay and everything was going to be alright.

Cindy loved music. Being on key wasn’t a priority, but moving with the beat was no problem as she rocked the bench till the springs popped out. This love continued as she sang with full abandon during praise and worship Sunday mornings. It has been noted that as we heard her voice fill the sanctuary, the evidence of the Holy Spirit seemed to be activated and move with freedom and abandon.

Cindy loved her church family and always had the garage door open as she packed in the back seat waiting for us to take her to her favourite destination. There came a time when Cindy made it abundantly clear that she desired to be baptized. As she stood in the baptism tank that special Sunday morning, she was asked, “Do you love Jesus?” She turned to the congregation with a joyful smile and said, “I love everybody!”

Oh, my girl, your three-word sermon that morning is so what the world needs to hear from someone like you.

God’s grace and mercy flowed over this child when on a beautiful Sunday morning, July 1, 2018, our Cindy fell off her chair and died as she hit the floor. As people rushed to help and Mama screamed, “Not today,” God mercifully brought Cindy back to life. When asked, “What happened to you,” she calmly told you, “My heart stopped,” as if it were no big deal. But oh how big a deal it was as people prayed and received Jesus into their lives.

God gave us almost five more years to enjoy our precious girl. But oh how we will miss her. As I call out in our love language, “Where’s my girl?”, I will hear your response all around me, “I’m here mum, I’m here.”

Please my sweet pea, save a spot for me and dad and the rest of all the Sawatzky crazies you loved so much. Keep cheering us on as we stretch to cross the finish line and join you in the choir band.

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful and I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

As a family, we wish to thank you all our church family and community for loving our girl. We thank the medical staff at Bethesda Emerg. paramedics and Stars.

We especially thank Dr. Boyd at HSC for attending not just to Cindy but also to the family. May God’s blessing be yours as you care for those in need.

Our girl has entered Heaven’s gate and her prayer for each one of you would be that you all would join her there.

A Celebration of Life with open mic will take place on Monday, May 22, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with interment to follow at Grunthal Cemetery, Grunthal, MB. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Cindy may be made to "Pansy Chapel" for the Shoebox Ministry by emailing treasurer@pansychapel.com or sending a cheque to Pansy Chapel, Box 20, Pansy, MB R0A 1J0, with a memo "shoebox ministry".

There will be a small display and collection box at the funeral as well.

Cindy leaves to cherish her memory:

Her Mom & Dad -

Cornelius and Martha Sawatzky

Her siblings –

Tracey and Earl Shilling

Melanie Sawatzky

Nathan and Cindy Sawatzky

Her nieces and nephews –

Benjamin and Jenna Shilling

Desiree and Zach (Chuck) Enns

with Kinsley and Rylin

Jonathan and Nine Shilling

with Micah & baby

Erin and Kyle (Karl) Klassen

with Eve

Mikayla and Brock Chaisson

Danica and McKoy Penner

Laurin Perry (Jordan)

Arielle Sawatzky

Megan (Meggie) Hiebert

(Brandon)

with Camden

Joshua (Ding Ding) Hiebert

(Faith)

Malachi (my guy) Sawatzky

Kaydance Sawatzky

Michelle Shilling

James Shilling