MARION BILOKRELI

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MARION BILOKRELI June 22, 1921 - September 2, 2000 After many months of bearing her pain patiently, Marion Bilokreli passed into the next life from Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 79. Marion always saw life on God's earth as a great adventure. World traveler, respectable musician and artist, a fine teacher - she was all of these, though her beginnings were humble. Daughter of Fred and Pearl (nee Kopan) Bilokreli, she was born in Theodore, SK. She was educated in the rural Poplar Leaf S.D. until Grade 10, then lack of funds delayed her graduation from Theodore High for two years. She persisted, and then went on to complete teachers training at Regina Teachers College in 1942. She began teaching in one-room schools: first, Brena, followed by North Lake (Buchanan), and Okno (Parkerview) and enjoyed the teaching, but not the total solitude of teacherages, so she joined the Canadian Army (CWAC). After completing her training, she had various posts in Kitchener, Barriefield and Regina. This she often referred to as the most exciting time of her life. Then, as part of the armys downsizing, she was honorably discharged and enrolled in the U. of Saskatchewan, where she earned her B.Ed. and B.A. She threw herself into her teaching career, working at Lysenko, then Wishart for 15 years, and North Battleford 12 years. Her students remember her incredibly demanding but totally fair approach to learning. Ill health convinced her to retire early, and after a year in Saskatoon, she moved to Ontario to be closer to family. In 1990, she moved to Winnipeg, to live with the Sisters of St. Joseph, friends from many years back. In these years, her health continued to fail, but her mind was ever sharpened by her search for the truth. She was not content to believe what others told her was true about God and His Church: she searched, read, studied, prayed. She had many ups and downs in her faith life, but her sincerity was always admirable. This past July, God gifted her with peace and joy at last when Fr. Ernie Hafichuk guided her back to the Catholic Church, and that incredible peace remained with her until the good Lord took her. Special thanks to Fr. Hafichuk, Fr. Ed Kwiatkowski, and Fr. Deacon Nicholas Kohuch, for visiting her and bringing her the holy Sacraments. She was predeceased by her father in 1963; her mother in 1982; and her only sister Rosaline in 1990. She leaves to mourn her passing numerous nephews and nieces and their families in Ontario and Saskatchewan, especially Danny (Susan) Doughty of Peterborough, ON; as well as all the Sisters whom she counted as family as well. The funeral Divine Liturgy (Ukrainian Catholic) will be celebrated on Thursday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 929 College Ave., Winnipeg, with Fr. E. Hafichuk officiating. Interment will be in the family plot in Theodore, SK cemetery. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 586-8044. Vichnaya Pamyat - May God keep her in His eternal memory

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 06, 2000