The Life and Times of Jessie Bodnar

The Life and Times of Jessie Bodnar

Donna Zaozirny Submitted

Vegreville resident Jessie Bodnar turned 100 years of age on April 29, 2020.

Jessie was born to John and Katherine Babysh, on April 29, 1920. She was the youngest of 13 siblings. Her parents emigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 1901 and started their family on the Babysh Homestead property north of Innisfree. Jessie grew up on the family farm, going to school and associating with the numerous families in the area. With her brother’s assistance, Jessie moved to Myrnam to seek employment.

It was at the New Year’s Eve celebration in December 1946 that she met Frank Bodnar. Frank, a local Myrnam resident, had been stationed in England in World War II, and when he returned he was offered the Postmaster position there.

Jessie and Frank were married on July 29, 1947, and settled in Myrnam. On June 12, 1948, their first child, Edith, was born; and on September 28, 1951, their second child, Donna, was born. For several years, Jessie stayed home raising the girls; however, as they grew older and started school, Jessie commenced working part-time at the Post Office in Myrnam.

In the early 1980’s, both Frank and Jessie retired from the Post Office and continued to enjoy retirement in Myrnam. Some of their favourite pasttimes were hunting, fishing, and traveling. In November 1984, Jessie and Frank were blessed with a grandson, Jonathan Michael Zaozirny. In November 1991, Frank passed away and Jessie continued living in Myrnam for an additional year.

Jessie Bodnar, and her great-grandson, Jackson Burnett Zaozirny during a family dinner in February of 2020. (Donna Zaozirny/Submitted Photo)

In 1992, Jessie moved to Vegreville where she knew many past acquaintances. She lived in various apartment complexes, as well as the Lions Golden Villa, before coming to Homestead Senior Citizens Lodge in 2015.

Jessie has always been close to family with Edith, Donna, and Marvin, her son-in-law, living in Edmonton and visiting regularly. Her only grandson, Jonathan, lives in Edmonton and married Heather Burnett in July 2015. Jon is an Emergency Room physician, and Heather is an Ophthalmologist. Jon and Heather have a son, born on June 7, 2019. Baba Jessie’s first Great Grandson. What a pleasure for her! She has stated that 2020 would be very special as she turns 100 and Jackson turns one-year-old!

Over the years, she has enjoyed the company of numerous family and friends, including some she knew as a youth. Jessie has always enjoyed knitting various clothing items, including sweaters, afghans, baby blankets, baby caps, and toques which have either been given to family and friends or donated to pre-natal units and homeless shelters in Edmonton.

She enjoys the company of the various residents and playing bingo. She also enjoys the various local musicians that visit the Lodge. She ends every evening reading a chapter or two of a ‘Danielle Steele’ book before turning off the lights for the night. One of her most favorite outings is a ride in the country to the area where she grew up and spent the majority of her life.

Overall, Jessie will say the past 100 years have been good to her!