Patricia Lynn Zaharuk

If you live in Campbell River you likely knew and loved Lynn. There was much more to her than what met the eye.

Lynn suffered more loss and tragedy in her life than most, and somehow most days she managed to remain grateful for all that she did have in her life. She found joy in the little things such as the birds she fed, and the neighbors walking their ‘cute’ dogs in the alley by her window daily. When things got really tough, she counted her blessings: The health of her two grandchildren Axel and Ruby, the roof over her head & food in her fridge, her wonderful friends…  And she never lost her spicy sense of humor - she loved to laugh!  She was often lonely, especially in the last several years, but was warmed by the nice people in her community who would randomly offer her rides or buy her a coffee. She was always in awe of the kindness of strangers.

Born deaf to Marjorie Irene Jordan and Wesley Zaharuk in Vancouver BC, sister to Stephen Edmund Zaharuk, her resilient personality was shaped young. Sadly, their father died at sea when she was four years old and his body was never found which haunted the family for the rest of their lives. She attended Jericho Hill School for the deaf during her younger years, and she blossomed into a beautiful young woman with a lively social life in her later teens, becoming the life of the party. She and her brother had a very close and loving relationship growing up and continued to remain close as adults.

Lynn had a wild sense of adventure and in 1973 she hitchhiked with a girlfriend up to the Yukon where she met her husband-to-be Glen Roscovich. Under the Northern Lights, they bought a log cabin and it was chop wood, carry water and living off the land for the next 7 years. Their first child Twyla Jean Roscovich was born there in 1979 and Adam Wesley Roscovich was born in Vancouver in 1980. Glen became a pioneer of the early days of aquaculture which landed them in the Vancouver Island area in the early 80’s eventually moving to Campbell River, and then going their separate ways. Lynn began working at Mental Health where she worked for close to 20 years.  Despite her own personal challenges she became an integral part of the CR community, meeting and helping others and doing what she loved best, being the social butterfly that she was - connecting with people..

Lynn suffered many great losses over the years - losing her mother, stepfather, boyfriend and one of her best friends to cancer, her brother in a tragic logging accident, and most devastatingly her beloved daughter Twyla in 2017, which forever changed her. Her life seemed to be one enormous hardship after another since then. Her health declined rapidly, she experienced two major falls – breaking and re-breaking her neck during the pandemic - which in itself had affected her severely.  She not only lost the social connections but was lo longer able to read lips, so she felt more alone than ever. Just as she seemed to be coming out to the other side into some sort of healing or peace, her 10 year old cat Bobbie – her trusty companion, disappeared without a trace which brought up a lot of buried grief for Lynn.  Then, catastrophically in October of last year, her son Adam died in a terrible accident. Shortly after she was informed her recent ex-boyfriend had also died of a heart attack around the same time. It’s almost unbelievable the insurmountable loss..

How can one person handle so much sadness?  Her grief was palpable..  It hurts my heart to even write and read all of this – it’s unimaginable for most of us.  She was one of the most resilient and strong humans that I’ve ever met and she had such a big beautiful compassionate heart. Even amid her deepest sorrow she thought and cared about others who were less fortunate than her. She bought and sent thoughtful gifts and cards for those she loved. She smiled at strangers and told them funny jokes and wise cracks.  She appreciated mother nature and all it constantly offers us. She was grateful for her life.  She inspired me. I miss her. But I take comfort knowing she is finally at peace..  Reunited with all of her loved ones.

Since many of Lynn’s friends are all over Canada, there will be a virtual Celebration of Life.  It will be on Saturday April 15th at 3pm Pacific Time on Zoom, where we will share photos and swap stories about our dear Lynn. Please email shecouldbetrouble@gmail.com if you would like to join us.

Being the avid animal lover that she was, one of her final wishes was that folks send donations to the SPCA in lieu of flowers.