Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.
Oleksy, Jennie
JENNIE OLEKSY (née Filuk), of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late William "Bill" Oleksy, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at the age of 91 years.
JENNIE OLEKSY (née Filuk), of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late William "Bill" Oleksy, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at the age of 91 years.
Jennie was born in Minitonas, Manitoba on February 11, 1931. Shortly after, her family moved to a farm in Swan River, Manitoba. She grew up with 14 siblings - nine brothers and five sisters (one sister was her twin), with many wonderful memories of life with them on the farm. She went to a country school (Lancaster) for her elementary school education from Grades one to nine. She attended Swan River High School for Grades 10 to 12. Upon graduation at the age of 17, she taught in a one-room country school.
In 1949-50, she attended Central Normal School in Winnipeg, then taught in various country and town schools in the Swan Valley Region.
She met her husband, Bill Oleksy, while walking on her way to Central Normal School - he was a school teacher as well. They married in 1954. While living in Swan River (first in town and then on a farm), they had three children, Brent, Brenda and Barton.
In 1967, she and Bill moved their family to Lethbridge. The house they bought had a kindergarten in the basement, and so Jennie's career as the best kindergarten teacher in Lethbridge began - her first year included Barton!
Teaching full-time and raising three children wasn't enough - Jennie decided to earn her Bachelor of Education Degree and Early Childhood Diploma at the University of Lethbridge - studying nights and weekends. Upon receiving her degree, she moved her kindergarten to Park Meadows Elementary School, and taught until her retirement in 1993. She was well loved by all her students. Even after her stroke in 2010, she could recognize and name grown adults from the five-year-olds she taught, as well as their parents and siblings.
Jennie and Bill traveled extensively, including Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and a driving trip to Canada's East Coast, as well as many trips to BC to visit family.
She enjoyed playing and watching golf - Rory McIlroy was her current favorite. In football, she cheered for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and, most recently in hockey, Connor McDavid.
Puzzles were a favourite pastime, and she enjoyed gardening and getting her kids to pull weeds.
Jennie is survived by her children and their families: son Brent (Jamie) Oleksy, Rick (Freya), Jody (Craig), Tesla, Nolan and Calder; daughter Brenda (Bob) O'Reilly, Chase; and son Barton Oleksy (Criselda Mierau), Katya Mierau, as well as her brothers, Tim, Wally (Priscilla) and Harvey (Alice), her sisters Ruth (Bill), Anne and Olga (her twin), and many, many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Jennie's Life will be held at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1614 - 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, July 2, 2022, commencing at 11:00 A.M with Dr. Bruce Martin officiating. All are welcome. For those unable to join in person, the service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Jennie's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
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What an amazing kind lady! Our visits were great, each time we learned more about the life that Bill and Jennie shared. Wonderful people who made our community better! Our deepest condolences to our friends,
Dear Brent, Brenda, Barton and families, We were saddened to hear of the loss of your Mom/Grandmother. I feel very blessed that my son and daughter were both kindergarten students of Mrs. Oleksy at Park Meadows School. She truly was the best kindergarten teacher and we still treasure all of the wonderful memories of the time spent in her classroom. We even have a DVD of the square dancing performance that Mr. And Mrs. Oleksy taught to the little ones. She was a beautiful person inside and outside of her classroom. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family that she was so very proud of. Fae McCune and Family.
Brent, Brenda. Bart and Families, Oh, my, what a wonderful tribute to your Beautiful Mom! We were blessed to have 2 of our 4 children in her kindergarten class at Park Meadows, where I volunteered (often and enthusiastically) as a parent helper. I learned so much from her, and came to love her as much as the kids did. She truly became my mentor and friend. As Chairperson of the Parents Council, I was humbled to pay tribute to her when she retired. How could I adequately honour her for loving our little ones into their full potential??? Her heart was always open, her arms a safe place to fall, her music still sings in our home. I can only imagine how much you will miss her. Heartfelt sympathy to all of you, and sincere appreciation for sharing your angel of a Mom with a city full of children who's lives she changed for the better, who will never forget her. "You Raise Me Up" . . . Yes, Jennie, you did. Sheryl Gerlock & Family
Our condolences to the entire Olesky family on your mother's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.
I was saddened to learn of Jennie's passing. Jennie was a gracious, warm-hearted person who touched many lives, and for the better. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Mrs. Oleksy was one of the best teachers I ever had. She is one of the reasons I became a teacher! She was kind, patient, and full of grace. I will always remember trick-or-treating at her house, and Mr. O making us sing for our candy. I'm so glad those two beautiful souls are together again.
Jennie was my colleague when I first began teaching Kindergarten 37 years ago. She inspired me with her wisdom, talent, style, and gracious compassion for students. My deepest sympathy to her family. Lynette Kostiuk Westminster Elementary Kindergarten
I am so sorry to hear of Jennie's passing. I had hoped to visit with her upon my upcoming trip to Canada this June. Jennie was a sweet friend and encourager to me during my classes at the UofL and my years teaching kindergarten in Hardieville. She was a dear teacher to my son, Scott in her basement kindergarten. I will treasure my memories of her precious smile and gentle nature. Rest in the arms of our Saviour, all my love, Lorraine.