Obituary of STELLA WILSON

STELLA HOROBEC WILSON

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Stella Horobec Wilson on July 7th, 2017 at the age of 81.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Jennifer and Stefanie (John) and grandchildren Ainsley, Emily and Evan.  She is also survived by her sister Marie (Kasmer), brothers John and Peter (Helen); sisters-in-law, Diane and Ileen; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Stella is preceded in death by her loving husband Ansley Chalmers Wilson, mother Helen, father Mike, sister Ann (Lawrence), brothers Marko (Lena), Ostop, Walter, Joseph (Bella), Bill (Anne), Mike and Paul, nieces Christine, Kathryn and Karen, nephew Edward and other family members and friends. 

Stella was born in Vita, Manitoba and grew up on the family farm in Caliento.  She graduated from Shevchenko School in Vita.  Following her graduation, she earned an Accounting and Bookkeeping Certificate and worked at the Vita Hospital and at Sealy in Winnipeg.  During this time, she also was a devoted Aunty taking care of her nieces and nephews.  She moved to Toronto where she worked for Dominion Stores in the head office.  In 1964, Stella had the special honor of being a member of the Canadian Pilgrimage to the Netherlands under The War Graves Committee. While there, she was offered a position at the Canadian Consulate in Holland.  Upon returning to Toronto, she met Joe and Bella’s next door neighbor, Ansley, and as the story goes, it was love at first sight.  Stella and Ansley were married in Winnipeg in 1966 and made their home in Chatham and Toronto, Ontario.  Stella worked as Ansley’s secretary occasionally throughout their years in Toronto but, proudly, her fulltime job was “Mom”. They shared many cherished times at the family cottage at Lake Simcoe.  In 1980, they left Toronto for a life of peace and tranquility on the farm in Vita.  She also worked at the LGD of Stuartburn.  In her later years, she moved to Winnipeg. 

To mom, family was everything.  She took the greatest pride and joy in her role of Mother and Baba. She was the biological mother of two, but was a mother to so many others.  Everyone felt welcome and loved in her home.  Baba took pride in teaching her grandchildren and others Ukrainian traditions and they loved learning from her.  Up until illness struck a year ago, she never missed a single birthday party, school concert, figure skating exhibition or competition, or violin recital.  Mom wasn’t able to fight cancer with science and medicine, so she fought it using her immense love for us and beat the odds the doctors gave her.  Thanks to her daughter Jennifer’s loving care, she was able to remain in her own home despite her illness.

Stella was a lifelong and devoted member of the St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Caliento, Manitoba and served as Treasurer for over 35 years.  Mom had many talents and special gifts.  She was an excellent gardener and many enjoyed her delicious canning.  A fantastic baker and chef, no one left her house hungry.  Mom enjoyed preparing traditional Ukrainian Easter and Christmas dinners for family and friends.  Blueberry picking, quilting, crossword puzzles, and reading cookbooks were among her many hobbies.  An avid Manitoba Moose and Winnipeg Jets fan, she rarely missed a game.  She will be remembered for her faith, kind heart, compassion for others, positive attitude and bravery. 

Funeral liturgy for Stella will be held at Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 505 Watt Street, in Winnipeg on Thursday July 13th, 2017 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Father Djura George Maljik presiding.  Reception will follow the service at the church.  Private interment at St. John the Baptist Church cemetery in Caliento will take place at a later date.