WLADYSLAWA (GLADYS) MARIE KULAS

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WLADYSLAWA (GLADYS) MARIE KULAS Wladyslawa "Gladys" Marie Kulas, 83, loving wife of Zbyszek (Bill), peacefully, with her family by her side, returned to her heavenly home on June 17, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family and firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Gladys was born in Winnipeg, MB where she lived her entire life. She was immersed in the Roman Catholic community that would be her lifelong support from an early age. Gladys was blessed with a loving family. She met her husband, Bill, in 1950 and they married in 1959, then raised their three children. From the very beginning, they dedicated their children to God and to be involved in the Polish community. She started dancing at the age of seven, under Wanda Skuzanska and immediately caught the bug and never stopped. She joined the Sokol choir in the early 1950's. She studied Polish folklore, dance and choreography at University of Marie Currie-Sklodowska in Lublin, Poland and gave numerous workshops to Polish and other ethnic groups across Canada and the USA. Gladys was the artistic Director and Choreographer for over 40 years of the Polish Sokol Folk Ensemble. She is credited with introducing movements to the choir, creating countless beautiful choreographies and founding the Polish Sokol School of Folk Dance in 1973. Gladys received the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt in 1985 for displaying proven talent and dedication to the preservation of Polish culture in Canada. Gladys and Bill enjoyed travelling often to the cabin at Winnipeg Beach, later to Fargo, but, they loved their trips to Hart Ranch Resort in the Black Hills, Poland, Mexico and Hawaii. They made lifelong friends wherever they went. Gladys' family was her world and in the last days, those were the only people she recognized. Even if she was asleep, she would smile when you said "Hi Mom or Hi Baci" and whispered your name in her ear. She is dearly missed by all her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator. Gladys is survived by her husband, Zbyszek (Bill), children Anna-Marie (Don), James (Cindy) and Mark (Christine); grandchildren Paul, Kyle, Justin, Christian, Andrew, Matthew, Daniel and Anna, her sisters-in-law Stella and Barbara, nieces and nephews Grace, Barbara (Ken), Witold (Sherly), Mark, Jack, Blaine (Patti) Brent, Kristen (Marco), Karen (Jodi), Antoni (Teri), cousin Slawek and all their families. She is preceded in death by her parents Stanislaw and Anna, brothers Tadeusz and Brian, sister Stanislawa and brother-in-law Leszek. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. preceded by the Rosary at 10:30 am, at Holy Ghost Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. with interment to follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery. Pallbearers are Gladys and Bill's grandchildren. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba. The family wishes to thank all our friends who visited and prayed with our Baci, that meant so much to her. Also, special thanks to the staff at Riverview Health Centre 3E for their kind and gentle care of Baci and her family during these last few difficult weeks. Gladys was involved with Sokol Gymnastic Association (Lifetime member), St. Benedict's Monastery (Order of St. Benedict), Holy Ghost Leisure Club (founder), Papal Planning Secretariat(1984), Holy Ghost Rosary Sodality, Mid-Continental Arts Festival (founding member), St. Joseph's Residence volunteer. Wieczny Odpoczynek Racz Jej Dac, Panie. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2015