Wanda Victoria Mitchell nee Ryczko
February 23, 1944 – February 4, 2025
Wanda, aged 80, passed away peacefully at the Dryden Hospital with her boys by her side. She was born in Dryden to Mary Maslach and Nick Ryczko in 1944, immigrants who first worked cutting wood, then running logging camps. At the time of Nick’s passing in 1965, they had cut 1500 acres of forest.
Wanda spent the vast majority of her life on the family farm in Barclay which Nick purchased in 1936, first in the original homestead and then in a house built for their family in 1956. She was the third of four children and attended St. Joseph’s elementary school then completed high school at DHS in 1962. Thereafter she qualified as a bookkeeper and worked at Dryden Chemicals.
It was in 1966 that Wanda met Bob Mitchell in Dryden, a newly minted forester from UNB. Soon after, they moved to BC where each worked in the logging industry in Port Alberni – Wanda for Tommy Hamilton and Bob for MacMillan Bloedel. They returned briefly to wed at St. Joseph’s Catholic church on August 26, 1967 then celebrated their wedding at the Thunderbird Motel. After a few years on Vancouver Island, they decided to return to Dryden permanently in 1969 where Bob took up a role teaching forestry at DHS and Wanda delivered her first born son, Ted. The young family moved into their first home on Kirkpatrick Avenue. Wanda was always very close to her widowed mother, Mary, and was happy to help introduce her to Edgar Abolins, a veteran from Latvia who became one of Wanda’s most treasured family members. She then ran the back office for Abolins Construction in the 1970s until Mary and Edgar wound up the business and started Green Acres Trailer Park on land that was part of the original farm.
Bob and Wanda’s second son, Patrick, came along in 1972 and it was at this time an opportunity arose to move back to her childhood home in Barclay on highway 17 across from Dave Frejd’s farm and next to Edgar and Mary, who by this time had built a new house in the trailer park. So in 1973, Wanda’s family of four started out on a journey that would last 51 years. They called the place Rowanwood – Robert, Wanda and wood – because trees would be integral to everything they did. Together they planted thousands of red and white pines around the farm which have now grown to majestic heights. During those years Wanda was involved with the Barclay Woman’s Institute, the Catholic Women’s League and Toastmasters. Those who know Wanda also know there was no ‘half-way’ when it came to cooking, cleaning and entertaining. Everyone who was invited for dinner got the royal treatment.
In the 1980s, Wanda became a self-taught stained glass artisan. She spent thousands of hours in her basement studio on many cold winter days designing and building ornamentals, lamps and windows. Her work adorns the Catholic church and many homes in the region. After Bob retired in 1999 Wanda got her real estate licence and through this work was introduced to a myriad of life-long friends she helped to relocate. Her work in real estate is where her personality really shone. She went to the ends of the earth to help people learn more about their purchases and all that Dryden had to offer. In 2001 Bob and Wanda found a beautiful property on the shores of Eagle Lake and spent most of their free time together renovating cottages, clearing brush and revitalizing the beach.
After Bob’s untimely passing in 2005, Wanda found herself anxious and alone. Not one to be idle nor defeated, she set to work fixing everything! Though a woman of small stature, her work-ethic was unmatched. She took on projects only the hardy – or foolhardy – would dare touch. She single- handedly kept home and cottage in top-notch condition for 20 years. One of the happiest chapters in Wanda’s life took place just five years ago when she reconnected with her high school friend, Jim Fenwick. Each was truly a gift to the other. She treasured Jim’s love, friendship and compassion. Jim stuck with Wanda to the end and will remain a very important part of our family.
After dealing with the effects of lymphoma for twelve years, Mom is finally free. The world was made a better place with her in it.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Roman Catholic Church with Father Alan Campeau officiating. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree – or a dozen – in memory of Wanda.
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
