OLGA (POPPY) GERELUS (POPOWICH)

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OLGA (POPPY) GERELUS (nee POPOWICH) With heavy hearts, the family of Olga Gerelus announces her passing on Tuesday, October 4, 2005. Olga will always be remembered with great love and affection by her daughters, Gail Henderson and husband Bob of Bluffton, South Carolina and Linda Scott and husband Norm of Winnipeg. She will also be lovingly remembered by grandchildren, Tanis Petreny and husband Gale, Rob Henderson and wife Susan, Jennifer and Michelle Scott; great-grandchildren, Lauren and Erin Petreny and Ransom Henderson; sister-in-law Helen Popowich and brother-in-law Ed Pendulak. Olga was predeceased by her husband Michael (Spike); parents, Michael and Alexandra Popowich; and brothers, Joseph and Michael Popowich. On October 30, 1914, Olga was born in Winnipeg. She was raised in Fort Rouge and educated at Earl Grey and Kelvin High Schools. Olga worked at numerous positions throughout her lifetime, but her times spent as a purchasing agent with North American Lumber Company and as a bookkeeper with Shoppers Drugmart encompassed the majority of her business career. Olga was a highly principled person, who lived her life with dignity and integrity. She was intensely proud of her Ukrainian heritage and was a life long member of the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Woman's League. Throughout the years, she served in a variety of executive and non-executive positions both at the local and regional levels. Through travel and reading, Olga embraced life and furthered her knowledge and understanding of the world. Her travels to the Ukraine gained her a greater understanding of her family and cultural heritage. Olga's trip to Italy enhanced even more deeply her religious beliefs and her trip to South Africa gave her a glimpse into a culture of which she had only previously read. She loved music and was a longtime participant in her church choir. Olga possessed a deeply rooted sense of right and social justice, which was demonstrated by her actions and lively debates. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother who offered encouragement to her children and grandchildren and celebrated their accomplishments. Prayers will be sung on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. in Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1001 Grant Ave. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 12 at 11:00 a.m. also in the church with Rev. Fr. Mark Gnutel officiating. Interment will follow in the Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave. Our family wishes to acknowledge the staff of Golden West Personal Care Home for the excellent care and concern extended to Olga while she was a resident and for the compassion and support shown to the family. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Golden West Centennial Lodge, 811 School Rd., R2Y 0S8, the Holy Family Church Elevator Fund, 1001 Grant Ave. R3M 1Y3 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., R3C 2B7. WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2005