OLIA (OLGA) KRUK

Condolences & Memories (30 entries)

• I will always have wonderful memories of Olga, especially of our St. Mary's retreat weekend in 1982. We shared a room and we laughed so much and we prayed also. Olga, I used to love standing outside your classroom door to listen to you teach. May God bless you. My condolences to her entire family. Ginette Rempel-Richer - Posted by: Ginette Richer(Ginette Rempel) (former colleague St. Mary's) on: Nov 08, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk inspired in me a love of poetry and literature. Her passion for Shakespeare was contagious, as was her love of Frost. I've never forgotten the class in which she introduced us to Robert Frost's "Design". When I think of her I think of the power of language, and the power of a wonderful teacher. Now I write and tell stories for a living, and I also teach on occasion. In so many ways, I credit Mrs. Kruk - Olga - for shaping the person I am today. I found a dimpled spider, fat and white, On a white heal-all, holding up a moth Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth -- Assorted characters of death and blight Mixed ready to begin the morning right, Like the ingredients of a witches' broth -- A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth, And dead wings carried like a paper kite. What had that flower to do with being white, The wayside blue and innocent heal-all? What brought the kindred spider to that height, Then steered the white moth thither in the night? What but design of darkness to appall?-- If design govern in a thing so small. - Posted by: Iris Yudai (Former student (SMA '89)) on: Nov 06, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk was a fantastic person. I enjoyed having her as a teacher at SMA and she brought light into a dark room. How lucky I was to have had her as a teacher as she gave me a life long love for literature. - Posted by: LISA SANSREGRET (FORMER STUDENT SMA CLASS OF 80) on: Oct 29, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk was my English teacher at St. Mary's. At the beginning of my grade 12 academic year, she tilted her head down, looked up at me and said, "We're going to get an A this year, Jacqueline." It wasn't a promise; it was a threat. Substandard work would not be accepted. My backside was officially kicked into gear. She was the sort of teacher who knew exactly what buttons to push, and I've always been grateful to her for it. She was a wonderful lady and an amazing teacher. - Posted by: Jacqueline (Ward) Solomon (Former student) on: Oct 27, 2014

• I will forever remember Canadian Literature , Shakespeare and English as I know it from my teachings from Mrs. Kruk. My deepest condolences to Mrs Kruk's family. - Posted by: Anokhi Mehta (former student SMA 87) on: Oct 21, 2014

• I was a student a long way from home and Mrs Kruk's English class was home to me. I had never looked at the written word in the way she taught. She made it live, made it alive and made it relevant. It's been many years since I have seen her last but she was never far from my heart or my mind. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. My prayers are with you. - Posted by: Valerie Gilmore (Fossheim) (Former SMA student '94) on: Oct 20, 2014

• We enjoyed meeting Olga through a mutual friend on our street. She had wonderful stories to tell and always made us laugh. We are very sad for Myron and family. We hope that good memories will help ease the pain of Olga's loss over time. - Posted by: Gloria & Clifford Free (Neighbours) on: Oct 19, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk was a gifted teacher who was able to bring out hidden talents in many of her students, including myself. Her love of literature was evident and she evoked this passion in her classroom. I am grateful to have been taught by her and enjoyed being in her home room 12-204. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this difficult time. - Posted by: Sheila Mullen-Smith (Former student SMA 1985) on: Oct 19, 2014

• I will always remember Mrs. Kruk for her passion for literature and for igniting that passion and spirit of independent thinking in her students. She inspired confidence and was a mentor to many of us. I feel she played a part in the person I have become today, and I am grateful to have known such a remarkable woman. - Posted by: Nayana Suchak (former student, St. Mary's Academy) on: Oct 19, 2014

• Without Mrs. Kruk, I'm not sure I would ever have had the courage to stand in front of huge audiences over and over and compete in the Manitoba Spelling Bees. I was a book worm, quiet and to myself, but she said I could and I must and therefore, I did. And I won. Two years in a row. She believed in me. How could I not believe in myself? Thank you, Mrs Kruk for helping me find my voice. You will always be remembered for your unwavering encouragement and implicit trust. Godspeed. - Posted by: Heather Lynne Harder (Potts ) (Student at SMA grad 83) on: Oct 19, 2014

• Our prayers are with the entire Kruk family! It is unfortunate that we only met Olia once at the wedding of her son Yury to our niece Lesia. But, we remember tasting that wonderful shmoo torte, when she invited us to her home. We are very impressed by her passion for teaching - it is rare to find such a dedicated teacher. She was indeed a very special soul. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT! Daniel & Lucia Sup - Posted by: Daniel and Lucia Sup (Lesia's uncle and god-mother) on: Oct 18, 2014

• Gratitude is hard to properly express, and even harder to measure. I am not certain I can convey in words the influence she had on me... Perhaps, then, I will let my past and future actions stand in place of my words. She taught me more than a subject matter. She taught me values and ethics. She role modelled academic excellence, upheld high standards for personal behaviour and infused all of it with a sense of humour, love of life, and a thoughtful compassion for others. My condolences to her family and friends. - Posted by: Mia Sally Correia (Former student) on: Oct 17, 2014

• We are remembering Olya with Love and in Prayer. She was beautiful in every way -- she was a gift from God. Our memories are of a person who cared deeply for her family, her friends, her students. Her smile reflected her beautiful soul; she was warm, compassionate, empathetic, and giving of herself in every way. While we are not able to be with Myron, Borys and Jane, and Yuri & Lesya and the children at this time, we have them close in Prayer and in Spirit. We cherish all the wonderful times we had with Olya. We pray that the memories of Olya will give Myron and the family Peace of Spirit. May God's Love bring comfort and strengthen them now at this time and in the days to come. With Love & Prayers. - Posted by: Tom & Michelle (Mikhalyna) Bentt & Family (Cousin) on: Oct 17, 2014

• I remember "Miss" Roslycky well. In reality, she was only ten years older than me when I attended Glenlawn Collegiate. I guess that is why she always seemed to be able to relate to her young students. Myron, I am so sorry for the loss of your life-long companion. To have shared 51 years together is a wonderful thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family at this most difficult time. RIP Olia. - Posted by: Pat Alvestad (nee Kellet) (Former student, Glenlawn Collegiate) on: Oct 17, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk had a profound impact on the person I am today. Talking to my SMA friends now scattered across the globe this week, I realized Mrs. Kruk's legacy lives on in the amazing woman she nurtured by challenging each one of us to become critical and independent thinkers. The life skills Mrs. Kruk passed on to me come into play in every aspect of my life. You are missed and remembered Mrs. Kruk! My condolences to the Kruk family. I hope our comments can support you through your grieving process. - Posted by: Monixa Macra Giesbrecht (sma93) (Former student ) on: Oct 16, 2014

• Mrs.Kruk was truly legendary. She always taught with passion and influence. She also had a wonderful sense of humour. I recall one English class at St Mary's where I asked her if she knew how to tango (I was an outspoken student..) she said 'I don't tango but I know the cha cha' and with that I got out of my seat and she cha cha'd with me in front of the entire English class! What a wonderful spirit. - Posted by: Michelle ford (former student ) on: Oct 16, 2014

• Mrs Kruk was one of our favourite teachers. She was funny, intelligent and let us have fun while learning. I still remember her classroom as if it were yesterday. We were lucky to have her. She will be held fondly in our memories. - Posted by: Jocelyn Preston (Former student) on: Oct 16, 2014

• "Miss Roslycky" taught a Phys. Ed class when I was a student at Glenlawn in l984. I can still remember her trying to teach our group of Grade 12 students some dance steps in the old gym with the stage.... such patience she had for the boys in the class and always with a smile. - Posted by: Penny Webber (Moore) (Former student) on: Oct 16, 2014

• Mrs. Kruk was the teacher we could never leave - there was always a discussion to carry over after the end of class. And when we had graduated from St. Mary's, we decided that was not enough. One day in First Year university, Maila Gabriel, Fran Yadao and I put on our St. Mary's uniforms and snuck into Mrs. Kruk's grade 12 English class. I don't think we sat in our usual spots exactly (front and centre) - a little too obvious. But there we were in the midst of the students who belonged... Mrs. Kruk walked in, began the class, and after about 5 minutes paused: "Wait a minute. You don't belong here!" She was a great inspiration, and someone who made us very much at home. - Posted by: Heather Skublics Lampman (former student) on: Oct 16, 2014

• Mrs Kruk was one of the most influential people in my life, fostering in me a love of Canadian literature, and introducing me to the works of Jane Austen, which have become almost friends over the past 30 years. She was a gifted and inspirational teacher, always expecting more from us, and helping us to realise we had it. She will be very missed. - Posted by: Siobhan Turner (Former student, St. Mary's Academy) on: Oct 16, 2014

• My friendship with Olga began in the Faculty of Education was strengthened in the wonderful environment from which four couples emerged from eight teachers all hired by Vic Wyatt, continued as she was a bridesmaid at my wedding to Peter, grew over the years by phone as we supported one another as stay at home Moms, strengthened as we mourned the loss of Betty Halstead, Kit Curry & John Thistlethwaite, and Vic and Marie Wyatt. We are so fortunate to have been together all these years. I will miss her. - Posted by: Norma Johnson Drosdowech (Teaching colleague at Glenlawn Collegiate and long-time friend) on: Oct 15, 2014

• It is wonderful to know more of Mrs. Kruk's life story- no surprise where her passion and commitment to teaching...and people began. I doubt there are many, if any, who did what she did to bring Canadian literature to the fore. How lucky to be a student- a drive through Neepawa is that much more special! Your smile, kindness, mentorship and wisdom will always be cherished. With sincere sympathy to your family. - Posted by: Louise Buelow-Smith (former student, SMA'79) on: Oct 15, 2014

• There are too many things for which I am grateful to Mrs Kruk to recount here. Suffice it to say I likely would have never produced a doctorate in English language Ukrainin Canadian literature had I never studied under her for grade 11 & 12. My condolences to her family and friends with the passing of this truly remarkable woman. - Posted by: Dr Lindy Ledohowski (Student) on: Oct 15, 2014

• We were in grade 12 at Isaac Newton H.S., while Ollie was in a class by herself. She, of the dreamy eyes, serious but jovial, tall and friendly, a favourite of Miss Nelson, and a First Prize winner in 1953 of a short story, "The Rose". The 1953 Year Book described her aptly as, " Our slim, swimming star has a fancy for teasing the fellows. Enjoyed being girls' sports rep. and volleyball coach. Loves flowers (especially roses). Plans to take Arts at "U" and then a trip around the world". Well Ollie, you have fulfilled your plans and dreams and now you are looking at the rest of us from Above. Rest in eternal peace and spread flowers all around. My condolances to the Kruk and Roslytsky families. Bohdan I. Shulakewych - Posted by: Bohdan Ihor Shulakewych (School friend) on: Oct 15, 2014

• My English Literature teacher in Grade 11 at Glenlawn. She was a special lady who I've never forgotten over many years. - Posted by: Bob Beavis (Student) on: Oct 15, 2014

• My condolences to Mrs. Kruk's family. She was a fantastic teacher. I have only fond memories of her. Rest in Peace Mrs. Kruk - Posted by: Rosanne Hebert (Student, grade 12, home room teacher, Grad 84) on: Oct 15, 2014

• By far, one of my most influential teachers. She had a wonderful appreciation of the human condition which I benefitted from as one of her students. She had a clear way of setting academic expectations and motivating you to achieve those and she had a wonderful way of making you feel emotionally safe with her which was critically important for young women in high school. I was blessed to have been one of her students and remember her now with great fondness, admiration and appreciation. - Posted by: Audra Bayer (Student) on: Oct 15, 2014

• Wonderful memories from Glenlawn Collegiate.... a beautiful person inside and out !!! an inspiration to all her students....a part of the ultimate love story which was born in the Glenlawn setting where not only Mr. Kruk married the love of his life but 3 other sets of teachers found their life partners...Thank you for the memories and the great example.. Till we meet again..Liisa Nygard Johnson, former student (1961) - Posted by: LIISA NYGARD JOHNSON (Student (centuries ago)) on: Oct 14, 2014

• Olga was a truly empathetic person, someone who could see beneath the surface to her students' potential and who cared enough to help her students develop that potential. I was a beneficiary of her wisdom and insight as a grade ten student in 1960. For the past 54 years, we have remained friends. In large part, I am who I am today because of Olga Kruk. She has held and will continue to hold a large space in my heart and I am sure in the hearts of many, many of her former students. Olga, you held us to high standards of integrity, intellectual acuity and awareness of the needs of others. I promise to keep attending to those goals in your memory and honour. - Posted by: Sharon Hamilton (Former student and long time friend) on: Oct 14, 2014

• Condolences to the Kruk family. Olga was a dedicated teacher held in high regard by her students. She had a flair for bringing out the best in people...whether student or fellow teacher. May she rest inescapable and hopefully put the angels through their grammatical paces! - Posted by: Patricia Hamilton (Former working acquaintance at St. Mary's Academy) on: Oct 12, 2014