ESTEVAN - Verna Morsky's contributions to Estevan's business community were so significant that not only is she in Estevan's business hall of fame, but her name is attached to the hall.
Morsky died on Oct. 12 at the age of 90 from injuries sustained in a fall weeks earlier. Her daughter Pam Dechief remembers her mother as a hard-working, generous and kind person who loved the community.
Verna Morsky and her husband Nick, who died in 2019, worked together as partners in every business venture they entered, Dechief said.
"One was successful because of the other," said Dechief. "Not only was she a wonderful mother and did things with the kids all of the time, she was an equal partner with dad in the businesses."
The couple operated the Derrick Motor Inn for decades, turning it into one of Estevan's premier businesses. It was not only popular with out-of-town guests but people in the community who had weddings, banquets and other functions at the hotel. Dechief said her mother did a lot of work behind the scenes in the kitchen and elsewhere.
"They knew that their business was successful as well because of the employees they had. If something needed to be cleaned up, mom … she was there with the broom and the mop, and working right alongside somebody that was helping clean up. It wasn't a 'You do this', it was a 'We'll do it together' attitude," said Dechief.
They also owned apartment buildings in the city.
"Mom and dad's work ethic just came through with all of us kids, and we've hopefully given mom's grandchildren some of that nice work ethic, along with the kindness and generosity with family and the community," said Dechief.
The Morskys developed many personal relationships with customers, and Dechief said people wanted to do business with the couple.
"If you got a handshake from either my mom or dad, that was a business deal. That was a deal and it was honoured by both sides," said Dechief.
They made many friends in Estevan, and they viewed the Energy City as a great place to raise a family because of the progress that has occurred.
"The prosperity of the businesses made the community better off to make better parks, roads and facilities for everybody in town," said Dechief.
The Morskys moved to Estevan in the 1950s when they were in their 20s. Dechief recalled her parents came out here for greener pastures, they fell in love with the city and they decided to stay.
In 2011, when the chamber launched the business hall of fame, it revealed the couple was not only charter members, but the hall would be named the Nick and Verna Morsky Business Hall of Fame.
Prior to her fall, Dechief said her mother still loved to play cards at the Estevan 60 and Over Club at the Estevan Leisure Centre, and was still an avid walker at Affinity Place and the Estevan Market Mall. She supported the day hospital program at St. Joseph's Hospital. And she drove until she fell; she had just purchased a new vehicle five days earlier.
Dechief said she has received a lot of messages and phone calls from people she has known for at least 20 years.
"I know them because of my parents," said Dechief. "Very overwhelming support. We are very grateful as a family to know that people in the community still remember her."
