Obituary of Wilhelmina “Billie” Marie MLECZKO

July 3, 1939 - Kirkland Lake, Ontario  

August 28, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Wilhelmina “Billie” Marie Mleczko of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2020 at the age of 81.

Born in Kirkland Lake, ON, in 1939, she grew up in Drumheller Alberta until her father and the family was posted to Vancouver and from there to Soest, West Germany. There she met the love of her life, Cpl. Joseph Peter Mleczko. They were married in 1957 in his home of Glace Bay, Cape Breton N.S. and moved to CFB Ipperwash, ON, to set up housekeeping and start their family. Sons Jamie and David rounded out the Mleczko tribe and they were posted around the country with Joe's unit until they finally settled in Calgary upon his retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces. Billie busied herself by being a parent and working part-time on the camp switchboard in Grand Bend, ON, which was an early precursor to Alberta Government Telephone in Calgary which became Telus over the years. She spent many happy years with them, loving her job and her co-workers and friends until 1994 when she retired.

Predeceased by both parents, James Cully Loos Duffin and Elsie Marie Duffin and tragically both sons as well as her beloved Joe, Billie spent her last years in the attentive company and loving care of youngest brother Scott and his partner, Honey-Ann Tilbrook and Billie's nephew cum grandson, Connor. She is survived by eldest brother Robert and his wife Elizabeth of Kingston, ON, to whom she was very close. She is also survived by her younger brother Thomas Duffin and his partner Grace of Smithers, BC.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Salvation Army, 1731 29th Street SW Calgary, AB, T3C 1M6, online at www.salvationarmy.ca, or by phone 403-410-1112 or the Telus Community Ambassadors (Pioneers), teamteluscares@telus.com. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Billie’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Wilhelmina Mleczko, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.