SHIRLEY JANIS KOROLUK

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SHIRLEY JANIS KOROLUK

(MAZUR)

Passed May 24, 2024

Shirley Janis (Mazur) Koroluk, 84, died on May 24, 2024, at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg. As someone who believed in preparation, strove for perfection, and loved a touch of humour, Shirley helped prepare this obituary prior to passing, and she shared a giggle over the addition of the phrase widespread in political ads: “Shirley Koroluk has approved this message.”

Shirley was born to Andy and Ann Mazur on a farm in the Duck Mountain District outside Grandview, Manitoba. As partial payment for Shirley’s safe delivery, the doctor accepted a sack of potatoes - a function of Depression era economics rather than her personal worth, she would insist.

Shirley was a fun-loving and outgoing youngest child who never stepped back from a challenge. She attended Duck Mountain School where she acquired many lifelong friends. Shirley also excelled at academics: she skipped two grades and finished high school at Grandview Collegiate. She then went on to Teachers’ College in Winnipeg and graduated at the age of 18. When she arrived in Benito, Manitoba to embark on her teaching career, much to her chagrin, one of the students loudly observed that his classmate, who had just celebrated a birthday, would soon be old enough to take out the teacher.

It was another Benito resident who stole Shirley’s heart, though, and she and Ernie Koroluk were married in the United Church in 1963. Daughter Marnie followed slowly at her own pace which, to Shirley, meant late. After Ernie passed away, aged 39, from cancer, Shirley and Marnie became a team.

Shirley returned to the classroom, and over the span of her 35.5-year teaching career in Benito, she celebrated the successes of all her students - those who thrived, those who made her shake her head, and those who made her laugh. Some students, in turn, also honoured her in their achievements. Shirley had her five minutes of fame when TSN called her for a quote on Ed Werenich, the world champion curler whom she had introduced to the game. She was acknowledged by MLA Myrna Dreidger in a speech from the floor of the Manitoba Legislature, and she was privileged to have the book, Emperor of Mars by Jim Makichuk, dedicated to her. Other students reached out to her privately to share their memories and stories. It all meant the world to her.

Upon retiring, Shirley moved to Winnipeg where she was a substitute teacher for five years and worked elections and census. Her church community was always very important to her.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Andy Mazur, her husband Ernest (Ernie) Koroluk, her sister and brother-in-law Jean and Fred Bohdanovich, and her brother-in-law Peter Kotowsky. She leaves to mourn her daughter and son-in-law Marnie and Todd Owen, sisters and brothers-in-law, her niece Linda Huska, and many other special nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family thanks Dr. Nadine Lecuyer and the staff at Family Matters, as well as Drs. Navaratnum, Choudry, and Banarji and everyone at CancerCare who gave Shirley a bonus decade. We also thank Dr. Carlos Jaramillo, everyone at River Ridge II, and the staff at hospitals where she was treated for heart and stroke-related illness.

A funeral will be held at The United Church in Meadowood at 1111 Dakota Street on July 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a graveside service at the Benito Cemetery on July 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. followed by tea at the Legion Hall at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to CancerCare, Manitoba, or to a charity of your choice.

Tributes: www.ejcoutu.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2024, Jun 22, 2024