Obituary for Olga “Olly” Walusko
On January 17, 2018, Olga “Olly” Walusko of Edmonton passed away at the age of 92 years.
Olly was born in 1925 near Mundare, the daughter of Paul and Rosalie Kowton. She was the eldest of five girls, Betty, Mary, Alex and Sylvia. She grew up on a farm with a work ethic gleaned from her Ukrainian pioneer heritage. Eventually she moved to Edmonton where she worked for the Mobilization Board.
In 1945 she was standing in line at the Empire Ballroom, when her friend Amy introduced her to Peter. He became the love of her life, and they married on February 2, 1946. They welcomed a first child, Patty in November of that year. In 1952, their daughter Carole was born. Olly stayed at home to look after the children until 1963 when she and Peter opened Mayfair Jewellery and Coin. They were accompanied each day to the store by their Pekingese dog, Susie. They worked together as a team until Peter’s death in 1996. Olly single handedly kept the store open a further 2.5 years until she closed its doors in 1999.
Both Peter and Olly were active in the Norwood Legion. Vacations taken together included destinations all over the world, but their favorite place was Jasper and the mountains.
Olly and Peter had long productive lives, with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Olly is predeceased by her beloved, Peter; sister, Alex Clark; and grandson, John Matthew Rykes. She is survived by her daughters, Patty Cleall (Ken) and Carole Rykes (Paul); six grandchildren, Jennifer, Jon, Susan Cleall and Amanda, John and Matt Rykes; eight great-grandchildren; James, Rory, Hutcheon McLean, Harrison, Henry and Annie Cleall and Theodore and Ethan Bliss; and sisters, Betty, Mary and Sylvia.
Memorial Service Wednesday, January 24 at 3:30 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 – 111 Avenue, Edmonton. Reverend Mike McCaffery officiating with interment in St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to the Edmonton Humane Society, 13620 – 163 Street, Edmonton, AB T5V 0B2.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Olga Olly Walusko 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta