“We will remember Christine’s boundless energy, her passion for whatever she undertook and believed in. We’ll remember her joy of living, her smile and her laughter, the sound of her voice. We will remember her ability to lift us up and cause us to dream better dreams,” Reminisces Lorne Calvert, former Saskatchewan premier and chair of the memorial committee.

Friday, October 2, family, friends, students and community members gathered in Crescent Park to unveil a memorial honouring the life and legacy of Christine Boyczuk-Rensby. A longtime educator, advocate and community volunteer who passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2025. The memorial, located directly across from the library, reflects two causes that were central to Boyczuk-Rensby’s life, her love of reading and her commitment to advocating for people who did not have a voice of their own.

Her daughter, Vanessa Boyczuk Cowan, travelled from Lethbridge to attend the unveiling and TO remember her mother alongside community members.

“My mom was an advocate for people who didn’t have voices for themselves, of their own. She was very caring and loving,” Boyczuk Cowan stated.

At the centre of the memorial is a statue of a young girl sitting on a bench, quietly reading a book. Beside her is a rock bearing a plaque recognizing Boyczuk-Rensby’s life, work and contributions. The image of the young reader was chosen as a reflection of Boyczuk-Rensby’s lifelong relationship with education and literacy. From her years as a teacher to her work as a reading consultant, reading was more than simply part of her profession, it was a passion and something she valued deeply.

The ceremony began with an activity that reflected one of the causes closest to Boyczuk-Rensby’s heart, reading. For the first fifteen minutes of the program, students from St. Agnes School and Prince Arthur Community School were asked to “Drop Everything And Read” otherwise known as DEAR. The students took time to sit down with a book of their own and enjoy the act of reading.

Beginning the ceremony with children reading was a fitting tribute to a woman whose passion and career was closely tied to literacy and education. Boyczuk-Rensby began her career as a teacher before becoming a reading consultant with the Moose Jaw Public School Board. Through her work with students, she developed a lasting commitment to literacy and helping people discover the opportunities that education can provide. Her advocacy always extended beyond the classroom. Those who knew her remembered her as someone who was willing to step in and speak up for people who could not always speak for themselves and who strongly believed in giving back to her community.

The memorial project was a community effort, with eleven organizations involved in bringing the tribute to fruition.

“Well I think it’s just fantastic. What’s even more mind-blowing to me is that my mom was a part of all those committees,” SAID Boyczuk Cowan.  “She was so giving of her time and to our family, she always made time for us as well.”

The City of Moose Jaw donated the bench, and the memorial committee consisted of Business Women of Moose Jaw, Friendly City Optimists, Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, John Howard Society, Moose Jaw Family Resource Centre, Moose Jaw Public Library, Regional Sectoral Committee, St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s League, Super Annuated Teachers of Saskatchewan, and both Rotary Clubs in the surrounding area.

The location of the memorial adds another meaningful connection. Situated in Crescent Park directly across the library, the statue places a young reader at the heart of the community, surrounded by the park’s trees and pathways and within a site of a place dedicated to books and learning. Sculptor Grant McLaughlin who curated the memorial said he knew Christine well and felt the sculpture of a child reading a book was quite appropriate. He hopes that the memorial will stop people along the path and encourage them to head to the library and pick up a book; he notes it’s something we could all spend more time at.

“The location is just perfect; I wasn’t sure where it was going to be placed when I heard they were doing one and they couldn’t have picked a better spot. It’s just a beautiful sculpture.” Boyczuk Cowan said.

Christine’s career was shaped by her belief in helping others, now her memorial offers the community a permanent place to remember those values. The statue is not simply a monument, it is a reminder of a powerful woman who cared deeply about people, believed in the power of reading and education, and dedicated her life to giving others a voice. Placed among the trees and pathways of Crescent Park, just across from the library, the memorial provides a fitting home for her legacy; one that can continue to inspire the same love of reading and compassion for others.

By Becca Rensby

Moose Jaw Express