SR. SIMONA KLEK

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SR. SIMONA KLEK, SSJ Sr. Simona Klek, SSJ the pioneer and first superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph (Ukrainian rite) in Canada, died January 2, 2003 in Winnipeg. Born April 13, 1922, to Peter and Anna (Babiak) Klek in the village of Stibinets near Peremysl, Poland, the second of four children, Kataryna was raised by her father and especially her paternal grandmother when her own mother died when she was eight. She was very receptive to her grandmothers spiritual example, and at the age of 16 joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tsebliv, Ukraine on May 16, 1939, and after her candidacy, along with her habit, received the name Symeona. After her first profession of holy vows, she was missioned to Yavoriv to work in the childrens sadochok (nursery) there. The Second World War broke out and this became German territory, so she was sent to another sadochok in Tudorkovychy. The community saw a need for medical help in the area, so Sr. Simona obtained her nurses diploma in Yaroslavets and then went to work in a Wroclaw hospital run by German sisters. Meantime, in Canada, the first Ukrainian Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon, Andrew Roborecki, DD was urgently requesting the community for sisters to help him in his new eparchy, especially to establish a nursing home. In 1961, Sr. Simona, designated to be the superior of this new mission, arrived in Canada March 28, 1961 with another sister and began door-to-door campaigning for what is now St. Josephs Home, an 85-bed nursing home in Saskatoon. Until the home was completed, the sisters supported themselves by boarding young ladies attending the University of Saskachewan, and working at St. Pauls Hospital as nurses aides. When more sisters were able to join them from overseas, Sr. Simona worked for a number of years at North Battleford Hospital attempting to obtain RN standing in Canada. However, she was needed back at St. Josephs and worked there in every possible capacity until eventually she became the Administrator. The early years, she would relate later, were filled with crosses of almost every possible kind. Finally in early 1985, she had a severe stroke that took away her speech until her death almost 18 years later, and crippled her right side. She decided to maintain her pioneer spirit and volunteered to accompany two other sisters to Winnipeg that fall. The rest of her life was one of prayer, anticipating others needs, doing charitable works for those around her, and above all keeping exact observance of her holy vows and the Rule of the community of St. Joseph, the community she loved it seemed almost as much as she loved her Spouse and Lord Jesus Christ. Sr. Simona was predeceased by her parents; older sister Stephania in 1996 and baby brother 1931. She leaves to mourn her passing the Sisters of her community; and her sister Anna (Volodymyr) Geryluk; beloved niece Olya and beloved nephew and godson Peter, all of Toronto. Sister had a keen love for BVM parish, and her pallbearers, representing all the parishioners, will be especially those who literally carried her in her wheelchair many times before the church was able to install an elevator. Both services will be celebrated at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Ave., Winnipeg: Parastas on Tuesday, January 7 at 6:00 p.m.; the funeral Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, January 8 at 10:00 a.m. with His Grace Metropolitan Michael Bzdel, His Ex. Most Rev. David Motiuk, local and distant clergy officiating. (All clergy are invited: please bring your own vestments.) As well, beginning Tuesday night, an all-night vigil will be kept in the convent chapel of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 929 College Ave., Winnipeg, open to all. Interment will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Winnipeg. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 586-8044. Hers definitely was the apostolate of the smile! Vichnaya Pamyat May God keep her in His eternal memory.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2003