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MARGARET ANN PIDLASKI

Date of Passing: Dec 23, 2011

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MARGARET ANN PIDLASKI Margaret Ann Pidlaski died December 23, 2011, near Cusco, Peru. She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Hilda Pidlaski. She will be missed forever by her sister, Patricia (Ted Stone), her brother, Greg (Pat Melnyk), her nieces, Laura, Karyn, Christina, and Heather, her nephew Ben, and her many cousins and friends. Margaret was born in St. Boniface in 1954. She attended Springfield Elementary School and River East Collegiate. In 1982, she graduated from the University of Winnipeg and later completed several post-graduate courses in language education. She taught English as an additional language in Winnipeg and China before becoming the director of adult language training programs for the Manitoba government. In this role, she became a leader in language education in Canada. Margaret brought enthusiasm to everything she did and purposely chose the life she lived, going into a challenging and interesting profession, making lifelong friends, staying close to family members and creating a busy social life. She cared about others, strangers or friends. She was a devoted daughter and loving sister who adored her nieces and nephew. She was always ready to laugh and enjoy life. She attended all sorts of cultural events, but had a special love for theatre and music. She was a courageous traveller, on five continents, who went looking for distant relatives in Poland, crossed Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and once tried to sneak into Tibet in the back of a three-ton truck. She had a good time at anything she did. A memorial in celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. at the Centro Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Avenue. It will be immediately followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Margaret Pidlaski Scholarship fund at any branch of the Assiniboine Credit Union.
Publish Date: Jan 7, 2012

MARGARET ANN PIDLASKI Margaret Ann Pidlaski died December 23, 2011, near Cusco, Peru. She was predeceased by her parents Bill and Hilda Pidlaski. She will be missed forever by her sister, Patricia (Ted Stone), her brother, Greg (Pat Melnyk), her nieces, Laura, Karyn, Christina, and Heather, her nephew Ben, and her many cousins and friends. Margaret was born in St. Boniface in 1954. She attended Springfield Elementary School and River East Collegiate. In 1982, she graduated from the University of Winnipeg and later completed several post-graduate courses in language education. She taught English as an additional language in Winnipeg and China before becoming the director of adult language training programs for the Manitoba government. In this role, she became a leader in language education in Canada. Margaret brought enthusiasm to everything she did and purposely chose the life she lived, going into a challenging and interesting profession, making lifelong friends, staying close to family members and creating a busy social life. She cared about others, strangers or friends. She was a devoted daughter and loving sister who adored her nieces and nephew. She was always ready to laugh and enjoy life. She attended all sorts of cultural events, but had a special love for theatre and music. She was a courageous traveller, on five continents, who went looking for distant relatives in Poland, crossed Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and once tried to sneak into Tibet in the back of a three-ton truck. She had a good time at anything she did. A memorial in celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. at the Centro Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Avenue. It will be immediately followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Margaret Pidlaski Scholarship fund at any branch of the Assiniboine Credit Union.
Publish Date: Jan 7, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2012

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

  • The folk festival has not been the same since her passing. I always looked forward to meeting her at 5:30 each year. She and one of my high school friends shared a tarp each year. Just not the same without her. Rest in peace Margaret. - Posted by: Jim Toews (Folk Fesival Friend) on: Feb 09, 2014

  • One day in 2008 before I was going to Morocco, I ran into Margaret, who was the director of ELP and I was working in the provincial nominee program, in the elevator. She told me she had gone to Morocco in the 80s and loved Marrakesh and its vibe. She was so full of life and enjoyed travelling and exploring different corners of the world. Very easy going and approachable and down to earth. Her sudden death is such a loss to all of us. - Posted by: Fatima Bahir (former colleague) on: Jan 19, 2012

  • She was a fine lady. I just learnt of her passing today.... totally shocked! - Posted by: Grace Kisoso () on: Jan 18, 2012

  • I was stunned and saddened to hear of Margaret's tragic death. We worked together on a resource for ESL/EAL teachers in Canada. She was such a fine professional - knowledgeable and dedicated to the well-being of immigrants new to Canada. She provided leadership to people in the field in Manitoba and across the country. During our trips to Winnipeg she always had suggestions for ways to explore and enjoy the city she obviously loved. And she obviously loved new experiences and travelling. My condolences to family and colleagues who worked with her. Her legacy will be felt by the thousands of colleagues and newcomers to Canada. - Posted by: Gail Kingwell (Colleague) on: Jan 10, 2012

  • I was stunned to hear of Margaret's sudden and unexpected passing. I first met Margaret when I was an ESL teacher in the CBLT night school program in the early 90's. She was the co-ordinator of the program and, as such, visited my class on more than one occasion. Once she videotaped a class and wrote up a detailed report. I was so impressed by her astute observations - she really knew what to look for! When I left Winnipeg, she gave me a reference and allowed me to use her name for future job hunting. I have relocated in Southern Ontario now, and I'm sure it's thanks to her that I have been able to successfully resume my career in the field of ESL. I am forever grateful to her for her help. To her colleagues and family, I extend my sincere condolences. - Posted by: Barbara Dick (colleague) on: Jan 08, 2012

  • Memories of Margaret I have many wonderful memories of Margaret. I considered her my Guardian Angel of my work world. She was the first person I talked to when I returned to Winnipeg. I had lived in Argentina (I am originally from Altona, Manitoba) for a number of years where I discovered the love for teaching EAL. Margaret introduced me to Age and Opportunity and I landed my first job. We connected with our love for traveling and got together with other EAL teachers to talk and share stories and pictures of our traveling adventures. I remember Margaret’s beautiful images she captured from her trip to India. All the faces seemed to glow. Margaret seemed to know how to capture that as well as bring that out in others. When she observed my class she was always gentle as well as instructive. Her easy going manner was paired by her belief in setting a standard for our profession. Because of her we had wage standards and were eventually paid to attend conferences. She was always available for a hug whenever I saw her. And eventually as she rose in position at the ALT branch I began to see her as the Queen Mother of the EAL world. I will miss her dearly but I am glad that she died doing what she loved to do and in a country that has so many sacred sites. I will continue to pray for you, her family at this time. I hold you and Margaret in my heart. Kathy Sawatsky - Posted by: Kathy Sawatsky (collegue, friend) on: Jan 07, 2012

  • Margie was always a teacher long before it became her profession. Summer holidays we "played" school and she was always our teacher. Many fond memories growing up with Margie. Our deepest condolences Patti, Greg & families. May you take comfort that God has called her home, we're sure to continue her teaching. - Posted by: Ken, Shirley, Donna & Allison Audrain (Neighbour) on: Jan 07, 2012

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