Obituary of Julia Helena Oko

Julia Oko of Calgary passed away on Friday, April 29, 2005 at the age of 84 years, exactly thirty-one years to the day after her beloved husband. Julia was born on April 16, 1921 in Warsaw, Poland. She was a graduate of the SacrÚ Coeur High School in Polska Wies, Poland. She received her Diploma in Agriculture from Nottingham College in 1943. In 1984 she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary at the age of sixty-four years. In 1939 when Poland was invaded, she escaped with her father, who was pursued by the Germans, to join the Allied Forces in France and England. She fell in love immediately and married Dr. Jan Kazimierz Oko, Thoracic Surgeon and Squadron Leader in the Polish Forces. They immigrated to Canada in 1948 and settled in Bowness and later in Calgary. Julia worked as a Bacteriology Technician at the Provincial Laboratory, University of Alberta, Calgary Division. She was also an Artist/Ceramicist. Julia was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, former member of the Allied Arts Centre, Honourary Member of the Alpine Club of Canada, North Mount Pleasant Potters Association, Apeiron Society for the Practise of Philosophy, Polish Ladies Bible Study Group, and Calgary Medical Ladies Bible Study. Julia was an avid outdoors person who loved gardening, hiking, climbing and, skiing as well as an arts and culture lover. In April of 1965, during a climbing expedition, she suffered a fractured spine after a 120 foot plunge into an ice crevasse on the Athabasca Glacier. Eleven years later the ice glacier spewed out her skis, rooksack, and frozen lunch! Her favourite artists were Jean Arp and Juan Miro and her favourite author was Adam Mickiewicz. Julia had a passion for flowers and picking mushrooms. She loved to play April Fools Day pranks and water-dousing (Dingus/Polish tradition) on Easter Monday. Julia is survived by her children, Andrew (Helen) Oko, Richard (Susan) Oko, and Julie (Ron) Oko; her grandchildren, Sonya, Michelle, Megan, and Robyn. She is also survived by her sister Madelaine Suska and her husband Herald Krusche; and their children Anna and Zak Krusche. Julia was predeceased by her husband Jan K. Oko; and her parents Helena (nee Grobicka) and Julian Suski. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, May 5, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace Polish Catholic Church (2111 Uxbridge Drive N.W.) on Friday, May 6, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Julia Oko, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.