Leona died peacefully in her sleep on November 9, 2017, at Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission, BC after a 5 years struggle with dementia. Leona Palylyk was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta to parents Ella and Bruno (Buck) Froese on July 11, 1949.
Leona graduated from Matthew Halton Community School in 1967, then traveled west to Vancouver to further her education at what was then UBC’s Biological Technician laboratory. While in Vancouver, she met and married Richard (Rick) Palylyk with whom she had 3 children. Leona and Rick raised Siberian Huskies for show and racing, taking their team of sled dogs across BC, Washington State and Idaho before parting ways in 1985. As early participants in “Superdogs” (an event that occurs to this day at the PNE), she helped in bringing canine sports to a wider audience. Leona went on to meet Leonard (Len) Boscoe who moved from Edmonton to live in Surrey, BC with her and her children. Leona raisied Whippets with Leonard and continued her participation in dog shows and canine sports until Leonard’s passing. She was a founding member of the Pacific Kennel Club, a dog show that still occurs every year at Hazelmere RV Park. In her later years, Leona volunteered with the Surrey Eagles Junior Hockey team during their home games and spent most of her time with family and friends.
Leona is preceded in death by her father – Bruno (Buck) Froese in 2006, her spouse of 25 years – Leonard (Len) Boscoe in 2010 and her sister – Janice Froese in 1989.
Leona is survived by her mother – Ella Froese, her sister – Lori Wright, her brother – Richard Froese. Her children, Jeffrey (Jeff) Palylyk and his wife Olga Palylyk, Jamie (James) Palylyk and his wife Sabrina Palylyk (Drydgen) and daughter – Tanya Palylyk. Four grandchildren, Rebecca Palylyk, Katrina Palylyk, Surrophine Palylyk (Chambers) and Skyler Watkins-Palylyk. Her two nieces, Katie Wright and Jane Wright, other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on January 28, 2017 at the residence of James and Sabrina. Burial for Leona and Leonard will take place in Summer 2018 in Pincher Creek, AB. Cremation services were handled by Bakerview Community Cremation and Celebration Centre Ltd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (
pads.ca/give).
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Guildford Seniors Village for providing care to Leona for the past 3yrs and to the Christine Morrison Hospice for their care and support in her final days.
Magnolias on Main