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JULIA SYLVIA ROBERECKI (ILNISKY)
Born: Apr 23, 1934
Date of Passing: Jan 09, 2019
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJULIA SYLVIA ROBERECKI (nee ILNISKY) April 23, 1934 - January 9, 2019 Julia - passionate, independent, principled, determined, resourceful, humorous, multi-talented and selfless. Julia was born to Rosalia and Peter Ilnisky in Keld, MB. She valued education and overcame obstacles to graduate from Sacred Heart Academy. A Permit Teacher at age 18 and later upgrading her education, she taught for many years. She married John and had three daughters, Lori, Stephanie and Donna. Despite living 12 miles from town and having limited finances, Julia put a high priority on her daughters' activities: sports, music, 4-H, catechism, swimming and skating lessons. Creating delicious meals from bare-bones ingredients and constantly perfecting non-reproducible recipes was her specialty! She was an excellent seamstress and magically sewed costumes, matching outfits and purses while the world slept. Family and close friends were always a priority. Julia cared for her mother for many years and in 1998, John and Julia moved to Winnipeg to be with family. Julia was proudly involved in grandchildren, Blayne and Carly's lives and activities. She loved her sons-in-law (Glenn, Scott, Mike) and daughters equally. Her friends, Darlene, Vic, Dave and Sherry were considered family and she valued her relationships with siblings, Tony, Mary, Steve and Mike. She loved being outdoors and spent hours on her deck swing with her faithful companion Puss. Her passion for beautiful flowers was evident every summer as her front yard burst into bloom. People stopped to admire her lilies, roses, cosmos and poppies and she spent tireless hours talking to and hand watering plants daily with rain water. She was an avid environmentalist. She read Silent Spring in the 1960s and was immediately on board re-using and eliminating chemicals from her yard and home. Ants and wasps were safe in her yard. Mom loved all of God's creatures - except lily beetles! She was young at heart and her family had to work hard to keep up with her! 24 trips to Edmonton and the Rockies to visit her brother Tony, trips to the Canadian east and west coasts, a cycling trip in Italy at age 68, an eco-adventure in Costa Rica at 71, walking the MB Half Marathon at ages 74, 75, 76, the oldest participant in the Cerebral Palsy Bike Race at 82, 83, 84, participating in the Physio Fit Run until age 84, Sequence games until 4:00 a.m., up until 5:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve and picking enough berries (10 baskets) to get the free one. And, she loved to ride her bike EVERYWHERE! Mom was interested in details about the people important to her. She wanted to know what was going on in their lives and would talk to them about their interests. The news and current events were very important to her; her atlas and dictionary were always nearby to pin point locations and follow adventures of friends and family. When it came to arithmetic, grammar and spelling, nothing got past this former teacher intent on keeping her mind sharp. Siloam Mission, Samaritan's Purse and Winnipeg Harvest were recipients of Mom's compassion and generosity. She reminded us every person has a story and is worthy of respect. Mom was a devout Catholic. We thank Father Colin Peterson for the time he spent with her. LESSONS LEARNED FROM JULIA: *Work hard and live within your means *Invest your money on high value items such as good cooking pots, Encyclopedia Britannica and a Vita Mix (in 1985!) *Buy with cash - even your house *ALWAYS talk to strangers *Vulgarity is not necessary (sh*t is not a swear) *Take care of yourself: eat locally grown and natural, exercise and get enough sleep *Enjoy meaningful experiences with people you love *Be generous with your time not just your money *Don't be quick to judge others *Always cook extra (she was Ukrainian) *Dandelions are not weeds. You will always be present in our gardens, on our adventures, on our bike rides and in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Siloam Mission or 'put a tin in the bin' for Winnipeg Harvest.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2019
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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My condolences to you, Stephanie and your siblings. May your mom rest in peace. - Posted by: Heather G (Stephanie's friend) on: Feb 13, 2019
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Condolences to Julia's family and to her sister Mary (Zimrose) and brothers. Julie and I were like twins-in-friendship in our single days. Outstanding memories of laughing, enjoying each others company and each others' friends, visits to our farms and of course being in the bridal party at Julie's wedding. We lost contact with one another over the years and I regret not knowing where she was living to catch up and as it turned out, just north up the highway before she moved to Winnipeg. Since learning of Julie's passing the memories came flooding back and I can say Julie was a special lady and thank her for the wonderful memories and thoughts. May she take up her special place in her eternal life. Edna Wishnowski (nee Russin) - Posted by: EDNA WISHNOWSI (Friend) on: Feb 01, 2019
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Dear Lori, Glenn, Blayne, Carly, Stephanie and Donna, what a wonderful and beautiful tribute to Julia! I'm sure you all can't believe that she is gone and how large the hole she has left in your hearts and in your lives. She was truly a strong, generous, caring, inspirational and beautiful woman (inside and out). I feel very fortunate that I and my children got to meet and spend time with her. She was especially kind to my son Jovain, hiring him to help with her garden and later last year attending his art show. Thank you all, so very much for sharing her with us. I feel blessed that I got to know her! - Posted by: Brenda Hildebrand (Friend of the Family) on: Jan 30, 2019
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Lovely memories! We are thinking of you in this sad time. - Posted by: Karen and Ray (Family friends) on: Jan 21, 2019
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Dear Lori, Stephanie and Donna, My deepest condolences. I loved hearing mom's voice over the telephone. She can talk for hours. I am so blessed that she shared her most famous "baked quinoa casserole" and her amazing "zucchini pizza" recipe. I hope the wonderful memories you have created with mom bring you comfort during this difficult time. - Posted by: Ling (Friend) on: Jan 21, 2019
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My condolences to Lori, Stephanie, and Donna on the passing of your Mother. - Posted by: Dean Postlewaite (friend) on: Jan 19, 2019
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My condolences to all. I even had one of Julia purses the draw string style. She always had so much energy, God Bless you all. Cherish the memories Sharon (Deneka) Melnychuk - Posted by: Sharon Melnychuk (old neigbour) on: Jan 19, 2019
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Condolences to the family. I worked for her by looking after her mom when she was working for awhile. She always had a smile and very friendly. - Posted by: Lisa Caners (Worker) on: Jan 19, 2019
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Dear Donna, Lori, Stephanie, and families, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was an exceptional person of whom I remember hearing so many stories over the years from Donna and Lori. You are all in my thoughts and I hope the many, many loving memories you have of your mom will be of comfort to you. Your friend, John Allardyce - Posted by: John (Family friend) on: Jan 19, 2019
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A beautiful life so well lived! I believe that we can all by inspired by Julia’s approach to life. My sincerest condolences to Stephanie and the entire family. Indeed, you have so many wonderful memories of this wonderful human being, a dear and cherished Mom! - Posted by: Lorraine Walton (Friend) on: Jan 19, 2019