SR. ALBINA (THEODORA) ZALUSKI, O.S.B.

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SR. ALBINA (THEODORA) ZALUSKI, O.S.B. Sr. Albina Zaluski died peacefully in the Lord at 11:00 a.m. on September 26, 2001, at St. Benedicts Monastery. Her greatest wish, to be with her Lord, was granted. She was born on November 8, 1903 near Gimli, MB to John and Ann (Przysiezniak) Zaluski. Her parents immigrated to Canada from Poland in 1902 with six of their children. Adversity was no stranger to the family. Two children died in infancy and the father became blind accidentally while clearing brush. Sr. Albina entered the Benedictine Sisters at their Motherhouse on 317 Pritchard Ave., Winnipeg, on November 22, 1923 and made her Monastic Profession on July 14, 1925. Despite the many difficulties of her childhood, Sr. Albina was a peace-filled, prayerful person throughout her lifetime. She served her God and Community with joy and total commitment. Her prayerful, gentle, peaceful ways will be sorely missed in the Community. For 41 of her 76 years of monastic profession Sr. Albina ministered as a nurse, mostly on night duty, at five of the hospitals operated by the Benedictine Sisters, namely: Johnson Memorial in Gimli, Crerar in Winnipegosis, Sacred Heart in Russell, St. Marys in Birtle and St. Anthonys in Oakes, ND. In her retirement years she nursed at the Monastery and at St. Benedicts Manor in Arborg, followed by 10 years with coffee service at St. Benedicts Retreat Centre and care of the Monastic Dining Room. In 1993 at the age of 90 she wrote: "When the task has once begun, do it well until its done. Be the labour great or small, do it well or not at all." In addition to her monastic ministries, Sr. Albina found time to write her memoirs, several short stories and poems, knitted innumerable baby outfits for which she was noted, and enjoyed membership in St. Benedicts Warmth Club. Sr. Albina was predeceased by her parents John and Ann and all her siblings, Michael, Blaise, Catherine, David, Helen, Sr. Edward (Maria Josephine), Mary, Julia, Jessie, Stanley and Peter. She is survived by her nephews, Alexander (Alice) Zaluski and Jack (Gwen) Laskey; grand-nieces, Barbara (Tony) Nowosad of Winnipeg, and Gerry (Jim) Doherty of Ottawa; numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and members of her Religious Community. A Vigil Service will be held Friday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedicts Monastery, presided by the Prioress, Sr. Irene Burzynski, OSB. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 29 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedicts Monastery. Presider will be Msgr. L. McCloskey. Interment will follow in the Monastery Cemetery. The Benedictine Sisters would like to express their gratitude to Drs. Margaret Reda and Alycia Kuffel and the staff of St. Benedicts Health Centre for their care of Sr. Albina. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so wish, donations may be made in Sr. Albinas memory to St. Benedicts Foundation, 225 Masters Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R4A 2A1. May she rest in peace. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL in charge of arrangements. 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 28, 2001