Obituary Overview
Nell Nakoneczny
NAKONECZNY, Nell – Educator, Librarian, and Community Leader passed away suddenly in
Winnipeg on October 10, 2018 at the age of 87.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Nell
moved to Toronto in 1960, earned her BA and MLS degrees, and became a
high-school librarian and instructor in Canadian History.
A firm believer in
lifelong learning, Nell earned the credentials needed to advance her career becoming
a high-school vice-principal, and then Superintendent of the Toronto Board of
Education, the position from which she retired in 1996.
Nell was
continually involved in the life of her community. During the 1970s and 1980s, she served for
more than 15 years on the Toronto Public Library Board, and the Metro Toronto
Public Library Board serving as Board Chair of both entities. During her tenure, Nell earned a reputation
as an early proponent of accessibility in public libraries and a champion of the
use of information technology. She also
was a driving force in the Ontario Library Association, served on the board of
the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, and built the Ukrainian National
Federation library into the largest library of its kind in eastern Canada.
Nell received
numerous awards during her life including citizenship awards from the
Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and was a recipient of the Gardiner
Award in 1985 recognizing her as Metro Toronto’s citizen of the year.
Retirement years
were filled with travel, and volunteer work in the community, and in Ukraine
where she consulted on reforming the education system, and creating a library
for the national parliament. After
moving to Winnipeg in 2005, Nell continued her volunteering tradition at
OSEREDOK.
Nell was
predeceased by parents (Alec and
Emilia Stefura), and her brother, John Stefura, all of Sudbury. She is survived by her son Richard of
Winnipeg (wife Debra Chiplin).
A private family memorial service will be held at a later
date. Donations in Nell’s memory can be
made to the Charleswood Adult Day Club in Winnipeg lhc.ca/services/adult-day-clubs/charleswood-adult-day-club/
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nell Nakoneczny 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
