Agnes Alice was born at home, on the farm in Sullivan, on March 29, 1933. Her first night was spent in a shoebox, near the woodstove, to stay warm. She was the last addition of William and Anna (Kaufman) Povelofskie’s family. Agnes joined older siblings Florence (1915), Orral (1917), twins Elda and Edna (1919), Ada (1921), Elmer (1923), Wilson (1925), Lyle (1928), Ruth (1930). The children attended S.S. #11 in Mooresburg, however, Agnes was the first to admit that she was not big on school, and therefore she did not pursue high school.
While picking berries, Agnes and Julius Krajcir struck up a conversation that would forever change their lives. The young couple married September 27, 1950 and called Chesley home. Their family soon began to grow with the addition of Ernest in 1951, followed by Marie (1953), Darlene (1954) and Connie (1960). When Connie started school, Agnes returned to the workforce and began working at Krug’s. She remained there for the next 19 years, finishing her tenure as Foreman in the Veneer Department.
Agnes and Julius went their separate ways in 1968, before she found love again when she met Beverly David Byers. The two were married on September 20, 1969. In the mid 1970’s Bev and Agnes purchased a farm on the Arran-Elderslie Townline. They operated a cow-calf operation and grew their farm to work a total of 250 acres in their prime. Agnes helped Bev with all tasks on the farm, from fixing tractors to pulling new-born calves and ploughing the fields. If there was a job to be done, Agnes was usually at it. After 19 years of blood, sweat, and hard work, their time on the farm came to an end and they retired, settling in Tara. The year was 1995. In 2002, they purchased their first trailer, calling the park in Scone their second home. Agnes enjoyed relaxing at the trailer, catching up with family and friends. They enjoyed their retirement, however, their life together was cut short, as Bev died in 2008.
Agnes liked to travel and enjoyed a number of trips with friends and family in recent years. She saw Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and Las Vegas, just to name a few. Countless memories and stories have been told of these fun adventures. In her spare time, Agnes also enjoyed completing a variety of jig-saw puzzles and word searches. She was also known to have a soft spot for a game (or several) of Bingo, casinos (particularly the slots) and no Saturday night was complete without a trip to Hanover to watch the horses compete on the track. She was an accomplished baker and cook, with her Christmas fruit cake, and bran, rhubarb and carrot muffins also being family favourites. Time spent outside in her flower gardens was also a favourite pastime for her. Agnes enjoyed taking in a ball or hockey game on TV, as well as a variety of game shows with Price is Right being one of her favourites. She collected depression glass and a variety of Krug furniture. She loved animals, with her yellow lab Fergie, pet pig (yes, you read that right) and her many Peteys (every bird she owned had the same name:) being her favourites. A sunny day, a beach and a cold drink in hand or maybe even a happy hour was never a bad day either.
Agnes was an honest, patient woman who enjoyed life. She would never put off to tomorrow what could be done today. She was funny, always joking and had a dry sense of humour. However, Agnes was probably best known for her love of family. She loved her children dearly and absolutely loved the addition of grandchildren. She worked hard to have a loving and unique relationship with all of them and in recent years, enjoyed the arrival of 25 great-grand and two great-great-grandchildren. Agnes always made herself available, supporting those who needed it most. Maybe it was a joke or a heart-to-heart, but if you needed a pick-me-up, Grandma was usually there to provide whatever you needed.
In 2013, Agnes moved back to Chesley to be closer to family. Here she enjoyed more precious time with her family and friends. Sadly, Agnes was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer at the end of July. The news was devastating to everyone, but Agnes took the horrible news in stride and made the best of her remaining days. She enjoyed all the ensuing calls, visits and cards and remained a positive influence to all throughout. She was satisfied with the life she lived and had no regrets. Her life and legacy will now live on in her family and friends through their memories and stories.
Agnes passed away surrounded by her family at Hanover & District Hospital on Monday, October 19, 2020 in her 88th year.
Loving mother of Ernest (Suzanne) Krajcir of Elmwood, Marie (Bob) Pratt of Chesley, Darlene (Bev) Wilken of Mount Forest and Connie (John) Schuit of Ayton. Cherished grandmother of Penny (Warren), Anthony (Celia), Michael (Michelle), Jennifer (Vince), Adrianne (Scott), Carrie (Andre), Nathan (Julie), Rachel (Jeremy) and Daniel (Dorothy); great-grandmother of Holley, Jordon, Zack, Grace, Maddie, Chloe, John, Lyndsay, Keira, Joyce, Andrew, Valerie, Wesley, Olivia, Noah, Logan, Issac, Mikayla, Matthew, Joni, Samuel, Robyn, Austin, Tyler, Crystal and great great-grandmother of Cooper and Luna. Cherished sister of Ruth Myles of Owen Sound and sister-in-law of Bill Byers of Chesley.
Agnes was predeceased by her husband Beverly, granddaughter Stephanie Wilken, siblings Florence (Fred) Mervyn, Orral (Joseph) Charlton, Edna Povelofskie, Elda (Robert) Harrison, Ada (James) MacDonald, Elmer (Jean) Povelofskie, Wilson Povelofskie, Lyle (Yvonne) Povelofskie, sister-in-law Marguerite Byers and brother-in-law Russell Myles.
A public visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday, October 23, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Due to COVID – 19 restrictions, 25 people will be allowed in the building at any given time, and visitors must wear a mask and follow physical distancing rules. A private funeral celebrating Agnes’ life will follow with interment in Hillcrest Cemetery, Tara.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
