Obituary of Katherine STELMACK

September 3, 1925 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 15, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Katherine Stelmack, beloved wife of the late John Stelmack, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at the age of 95 years.

My beautiful mom was married to my dad on June 8, 1946. They settled in a home he built for her in Transcona, Winnipeg, and they started a family. 

My mother was an extraordinary caregiver. Her life was the epitome of family and others first. She looked after her three younger siblings and sacrificed her education. When her mother became ill, she moved to help her. My father had a long life due to her care and cooking: “Put down the salt John, it is bad for your heart.” She took great pride in a clean, beautiful home and fine food, cooked from scratch. She tended to her garden like she tended to her people; with utmost love and care. She was always well dressed and her hair curled. 

Mom loved entertaining friends and family. She would host parties with much laughter, dancing, music and good food and drink. She loved a good polka. Music brought her joy. Her last days were spent listening to music, lovingly compiled by her son, with her children singing to her. Her faith in God was absolute. In addition to homemaking, she worked hard at various jobs to ensure her children could achieve a better life. 

Katherine took great pride in passing on her Ukrainian traditions. She baked sweet paska for the Easter basket in coffee tins. Her pierogi recipe is her culinary legacy. She supervised her daughters and granddaughters at pierogi pinching parties filled with laughter and lots of instructions from her on proper technique. 

Her generosity of spirit and love will be forever remembered and missed by her children, Marie Mulloy, John Stelmack (Celine Arseneault), and Cara-Lynn Stelmack (Mark Hoffinger); her grandchildren, who she loved dearly, Charisse, Chad (Melissa), Adam, Peter (Jude), Sarah and Connor; and her six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Billey, of Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her husband, John, her mother, Jean Olchowecki (Elko) and father Peter Olchowecki (Elko), her brothers, Bill and Walter; and her son-in-law Bob Mulloy.

A Private Divine Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Katherine’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. 

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, 102 – 11 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 0X5 Telephone: (403) 269-1319, www.theseed.ca, or the Veterans Food Bank of Calgary, https://theveteransfoodbankofcalgary.ca/donate-now/. 

My family thanks the caregivers at Brentwood Care Centre for their compassionate and loving care.

In living memory of Katherine Stelmack, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.