Olga's life began on the farm at Burgis, Saskatchewan, south of Canora, where she attended Poplar Springs School. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Metro. They settled in Benito, Manitoba operating a restaurant for 7 years, where Olga would turn out Denver sandwiches and pies lickety-split. After selling the Benito restaurant to Ning Yee's family, they moved to Kelvington in 1953. In order to buy the business of Billiards, Barber Shop and Lunch Counter for $19,000, they had to sell their car and walk for 2 years. Metro decided to upgrade and took a barber's course in 1958. In 1962, Olga took her turn at a hairdresser course, leaving Metro at home with the three children - a very progressive step in that day. Metro operated his barber shop on one side of the building while taking care of the pool room and Olga operated her shop on the other side. After retiring in 1985, they travelled to various places - Disneyland, Hawaii, Florida, and kept in touch with relatives in Campbell River and Toronto, as well as local areas. Metro passed away on March 8, 1992. Olga continued to live in her own home with the help of her children and grandchildren.
Olga valued her Ukrainian heritage and traditions, together with her deep faith. She prided herself with her cooking and baking talents, garden, sewing skills, musical ability, her comfortable house, her warm hospitality to family and friends, and her appearance.
Many enjoyable days were spent at the family cottage at Greenwater, catching "the big one" with her husband Metro. Her love of pan-fried fish was restored after her husband passed away, when her good neighbours, Lorne and Judy, along with Allan Grona, would supply her with fresh fish. Speaking of neighbours, she was indeed fortunate to have three men, namely, Murray, Grant and Eldon, grow a garden in her spot this year. After three spring frosts in May and June, they had a very successful year, but we still don't know who won the best corn competition. Her neighbours also watched, visited and provided yarn for projects to keep her hands busy. They helped any way they could, in the form of shovelling snow and general maintenance. She didn't hesitate to ask and they didn't hesitate to do what she requested. It was this type of kindness that put a smile on her face and she was always grateful whether her children, her friends or Home Care assistants helped her. She also enjoyed seeing the happy faces of the “Meals-on-Wheels” volunteers.
Devoted mother, cherished grandmother and baba to Ken (Toni) Maranduk and their family Jaime (Mark) Phillips; Trina (Mike), Beckett and Easton Gust; Rhea (Derek) Boechler; Sharen (Edward) Ceslak and their family Charles Ceslak (Anna); Stephen (Shauna), Jeter and Kinsley Ceslak; and Bette Anne (Blair) Hillestad and their family Brett (Natalie), Sawyer and Paisley Hillestad; Kyle Hillestad (Jessica) and Sean Brochu; Jana (Mike) and Daxon Floer. Also survived by sister Pauline Slowski, sisters-in-law, Anne Kitchen and Marge Kitchen, brothers-in-law Fred (Elsie) Maranduik, George (Sylvia) Maranduik and sister-in-law Ann (Joe) Matusko. Predeceased by her husband Metro, brothers Michael Kitchen, Bill Kitchen, sisters, Mary Naduriak, Nellie Hrycyk, Alice Swainger and grandson, Michael David Ceslak.
Vichnaya Pamyat – Memory Eternal