NINA MARIE BILUN

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NINA MARIE BILUN

August 31, 1962 – November 23, 2025

Nina was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2016 and was acutely aware that her life would be shortened. She underwent a wide range of treatments and procedures throughout the past nine years, however never complained about her diagnosis, symptoms or the side effects of her medications. Rather, she accepted them with courage and dignity, and lived the remainder of her life to the fullest.

Nina was born into humble beginnings and embraced the significant responsibilities placed upon her from a young age to assist and care for her parents (Jennie and John) and two younger siblings (Luba and David). This likely contributed to her enduring traits of pragmatism, determination and resourcefulness which served her well throughout her life. She was proud to be the first family member to obtain a university degree in 1984 (Social Work) and upon graduation, moved to Dauphin where she met husband Duane and had their two treasured children (Lindsey and Taylor). Nina established herself as a compassionate and dedicated Social Worker and Probation Officer who was committed to providing support for those living on the margins of society. She thoroughly enjoyed the meaningful relationships she established with her clients and colleagues until her retirement in 2017.

Despite the health challenges in her life, Nina consistently exuded gratitude for living during a time and place with extraordinary freedoms, unspoiled nature, modern medicine, great music, family-owned restaurants and delicious local produce. Nina’s favorite food on earth was a “Manitoba grown garden tomato” and could somehow meal plan with them every day throughout the growing season. She was a fantastic cook, baker and pickler who shared the bounty of her efforts with many awaiting family, friends, colleagues, medical staff, bankers and yoga instructors. This was an illustration of her desire and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, to have them in her thoughts and enjoy each encounter with a sense of meaning and playfulness. To describe Nina as unique does not really capture her quirky nature in which she was content to go on long walks or read mystery novels for hours until abruptly needing to attend to a multitude of incongruent tasks with unnecessary speed. Her desire to learn and experience everything in life likely contributed to her accumulation of news and events that often became hilarious renditions in her retelling of blended stories and mispronunciations which she deemed to be “close enough”.

Nina loved animals and being in nature, particularly the Ingolf region in which she had so many wonderful life experiences at her uncle Al’s, and Luba and Grant’s cabins. She also spent several weeks each year at Clear Lake for renewal and bonding with loved ones. Nina’s intense affection towards cats and crows was fully embraced in her ability to change every environment she entered to her own liking and comfort, as well as amass a collection of shiny objects to wear and display. She enjoyed Jets and Blue Bomber games and maintained an intense passion for playing and watching curling.

During the last 12 years of her life, Nina and Todd enjoyed a very close and loving relationship that was spent in gratitude for the time they were given together. Nina’s requirement for predictability and novelty made her a fantastic travel companion and she traveled extensively throughout the past 10 years. She enjoyed art galleries, museums, antique stores, restaurants and experiencing the natural beauty of her destinations, however could take on the appearance of an Amazing Race contestant when in search of a notable bakery. Nina was always excited to travel to Toronto several times each year to spend time with Taylor, Faisal and their canine companion Lucy. Their time was spent at favorite ethnic restaurants, bookstores, as well as Faisals extravagant pen store to ensure his patients received gorgeous prescriptions. Nina also made regular visits to Edmonton to spend time with her grandson Zayne and thoroughly enjoyed his childhood years. She also enjoyed weekly visits with her mother, spending holiday occasions with Luba, Grant, Quinn and Alex, sharing foody outings with Lindsey and watching football with David and Shannon. Nina had close relationships with her in-laws and enjoyed lunch and shopping with Mercedes, watching curling with Gary, attending Derek and Erika’s BBQ’s and hanging out with Talia. Despite having significantly differing personalities, Nina and Talia became the unlikeliest of friends who resembled a dog and a duck that just happened to enjoy feminist movies, flower picking and mocking one another by exaggerating their differences.

On October 29, 2025, Nina was alerted to a sudden turn of events with her illness, which entailed having several weeks to live. In response, she used the remaining 25 days of her life to attend a gathering of family and close friends to say her final goodbyes, a Grey Cup party, her mothers 92nd birthday, time with her grandson and quiet time with her family and closest friends. It is with tremendous gratitude that she enjoyed her life to the fullest, did not suffer during her final weeks, never experienced the harshest symptoms of Multiple Myeloma and indicated in her final days that she had lived a very good life, was able to spend time with everyone that was meaningful to her and would pass away in her own home surrounded by family. Nina’s most prominent characteristics were her authenticity, thoughtfulness, generosity and extraordinary capacity to love, and those who were loved by her felt love to the fullest. In keeping, her last words are a tribute to who she was and what meant the most to her in this life … “love you”.

Nina was fortunate to have exceptional medical care and support throughout her illness from Cancer Care (Rami Kotb, Jayne Kasian, Kaitlyn Scott), Palliative Care (Ann Huot, Erin Mattson) and the Multiple Myeloma Support Group (Jackey Labossiere). A celebration of Nina’s life is scheduled for the Spring of 2026 in which people are encouraged to share stories and anecdotes of her life.

NINA MARIE BILUN

August 31, 1962 – November 23, 2025

Nina passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her father John and is lovingly remembered by her mother Jennie, sister Luba (Grant), brother David (Shannon), children (Taylor and Lindsey), former partner Duane, niece Quinn, nephew Alex, grandson Zayne and partner Todd, as well as numerous extended family members and close friends.

Nina was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2016, however continued to live a meaningful, loving and adventurous life until her passing at age 63. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held in the spring of 2026. There will be a longer obituary to follow.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2025, Dec 20, 2025