OLGA KORMILO (BASISTY)

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OLGA KORMILO (nee BASISTY) Suddenly, but peacefully, on March 26, 2009 with family by her side, Olga Kormilo passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital at the age of 93 years. Olga was born in Winnipeg on March 23, 1916 to Tekla and Stefan Basisty. Olga's father died in 1927, and four years later Olga's mother died leaving Olga and her two sisters, Marian and Nadia, orphans. The three girls - with the generous support of lawyer Wasyl Swystun, who took their case to court - received a trust fund that assisted with their living expenses and education. Education and teaching were important to Olga. Her schooling took place at Strathcona Elementary, Isaac Newton Junior High, St. John's High School, Wesley College, as well as Ukrainian school at National Home. In 1936, she graduated from Normal School and in September 1938 she started her teaching career in a multi-grade position at Rossdale School. She continued teaching until December 1941, when she married Steve Kormilo, and, after 23 years working at home, she went back to teaching, this time at Maple Leaf School, where she worked from 1965 until her retirement in 1984, at the age of 68. She served as the school representative on the River East Teachers' Association, and maintained friendships with her colleagues from Maple Leaf School for the rest of her life. Olga said that she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and she instilled the importance of education and life-long learning to her students and her family. After her retirement, she took Continuing Education classes at the University of Winnipeg, and supplemented the formal aspect of her education by taking many trips that included a writers tour in England, other UK destinations, the ruins at Mount Vesuvius, Europe including Ukraine, Australia, Papua New Guinea, camping trips across Canada and USA, and several cruises. Olga lived her whole life in the North End and was extremely committed to her church and took great pride in her Ukrainian heritage. St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral - of which Olga's father was a founding member - stood as a cornerstone of her community. When the Millennium Villa seniors residence, connected to the church, was built in 1989, Olga was elected to the Board of Directors, a position she held for the rest of her life. She was determined to remain on the Board in part because she, until very recently, was the only female representative on it. Olga's passion about women's rights crossed into her personal life, her professional career, and her community service. She was a fiercely proud, independent and strong-minded woman. She challenged herself and her family and friends never to stop learning. Olga is remembered by her son Stephen (Helen); and her daughters, Marilyn (John) Dudek and Donna; by her grandchildren, Debra Dudek, Dawn Dudek, Ross (Wendy) Dudek and Sean Kormilo (Dmitri Goldring); by her great-grandson Lukas Dudek; by her sister Nadia (Bill) Okrusko; and by sister-in-law Tillie Siemens and brother-in-law Mike Kormilo. She was predeceased by her husband Steve and sister Marian Ornar. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave. at Sinclair. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the church with Father Roman Stefanyshyn and Father Michael Skrumeda officiating. Interment in All Saints Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. If so desired, donations may be made in Olga's memory to St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation, D1003-409 Taché Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 9Z9 or St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2X 0R2. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 30, 2009