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Shirley Janis (Mazur) Koroluk, 84, died on May 24, 2024, at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg. A teacher to the end, her last lesson to her family was to face death with dignity and courage. As someone who believed in preparation, strove for perfection, and loved a touch of humour, Shirley had this obituary prepared prior to her passing, and she shared a giggle over the addition of the phrase widespread in political ads: “Shirley Koroluk has approved this message”.
Shirley was born to Andy and Ann Mazur on a farm in the Duck Mountain District outside Grandview Manitoba. As partial payment for Shirley’s safe delivery, the doctor accepted a sack of potatoes – a function of depression era economics rather than her personal worth, she would insist.
Although she did not believe in stereotypes, Shirley was a typical fun-loving and outgoing youngest child who never stepped back from a challenge. During her formative years, that meant finding creative ways to get out of doing the dishes. She would dodge the task by engaging her dad, a willing accomplice, in competitive games directly after meals.
Shirley attended Duck Mountain School where she acquired many life-long friends and a few re-tellable tales. There was the snow fort incident when some older boys trapped Shirley and her best friend in a snow tunnel for what seemed like hours (everyone survived). There was also a door incident when Shirley put her hand through the glass window of a classroom door while chasing another student – a boy – her daughter always added (no permanent injuries suffered).
What Shirley was most known for, though, were her academic achievements: Shirley skipped two grades and finished high school at Grandview Collegiate. She then went on to Teachers’ College in Winnipeg and graduated at the age of 18. When she arrived in Benito, Manitoba, to embark on her teaching career, much to her chagrin, one of the students loudly observed that his classmate, who had just celebrated a birthday, would soon be old enough to take out the teacher.
It was another Benito resident who stole Shirley’s heart, though, and she and Ernie Koroluk were married in the United Church in 1963. Daughter Marnie followed slowly at her own pace which, to Shirley, meant late. After Ernie passed away aged 39 from cancer, Shirley and Marnie became inseparable and worked together to navigate their new circumstances. Shirley managed the household; Marnie did the books. Shirley barbecued; Marnie stood nearby with a water gun to prevent a repeat of the singed eyebrows incident (they grew back – mostly). Shirley and Marnie were a team.
Shirley returned to the classroom, and over the span of her 35.5-year teaching career in Benito, she celebrated the successes of all her students – those who excelled, those who made her shake her head, and those who made her laugh. Some students, in turn, also honoured her in their achievements. Shirley had her 5 minutes of fame when TSN called her for a quote on Ed Werenich, the world champion curler whom she had introduced to the game. She was acknowledged by MLA Myrna Dreidger in a speech from the floor of the Manitoba Legislature, and she was privileged to have the book, Emperor of Mars by Jim Makichuk, dedicated to her. Other students reached out to her privately to share their memories and stories. It all meant the world to her.
Upon retiring, Shirley moved to Winnipeg where she was a substitute teacher for 5 years and worked elections and census. Once an avid curler, she took up badminton and bridge and did yoga among many other activities.
Throughout her life, Shirley served on many boards pertaining to school affairs, church, recreation, and health. Shirley was always very spiritual, and her church community was very important to her. Travel took her to the USA, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Europe as well as to many parts of Canada. To mark special occasions for family and friends, Shirley was known to pen song lyrics and set them to catchy tunes which she’d have everyone sing…some will admit it. Many in the family are familiar with the music for “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)” as a result.
Shirley was predeceased by her loving parents, Ann and Andy Mazur, her husband Ernest (Ernie) Koroluk, her sister and brother-in law Jean and Fred Bohdanovich, and her brother-in-law Peter Kotowsky. She leaves to mourn her daughter and son-in-law Marnie and Todd Owen, sisters and brothers-in-law, her niece Linda Huska, and many other special nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Nadine Lecuyer and the wonderful caring staff at Family Matters, as well as Drs. Navaratnum, Choudry, and Banarji, and the great staff at Cancer Care who gave Shirley a bonus decade. We also thank Dr. Carlos Jaramillo, everyone at River Ridge II, and the staff at hospitals where she was treated for heart and stroke-related illness.
In accordance with Shirley’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a funeral will be held at The United Church in Meadowood at 1111 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, on July 6, 2024, at 11:00AM. There will be a graveside service at the Benito Cemetery on July 12, 2024, at 4:00PM followed by tea at the Benito Legion Hall at 4:30PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to Cancer Care, Manitoba, online or at 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, or to a charity of your choice.
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May 24 2024
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
death notice Shirley Janis Koroluk Mazur May 24 2024
obituaries notice Shirley Janis Koroluk Mazur May 24 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Shirley Janis Koroluk Mazur May 24 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
