Ila Stemkoski (Ott) February 25, 1924 to July 13, 2009

“It is healthy and honorable to weep at the loss of someone we love. Healthy because such passion must be released. Honorable because it is respectful to admit the importance of people who have loved and supported us…people whose footprints cannot ever be matched.”

-Maya Angelou

Ila’s family and caregivers at Princess Court said sad farewells as she began her journey into the eternal light to be reunited with her husband Peter, son-in-law Gary, and great granddaugther Rachel.

She is remembered by her daughter Patsy Norman and son Tom Stemkoski and Toms’ wife Jo-Ann. Also four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, Scott and Liz Norman (Gary and Jacob), Kelly and Roger Griffiths (Alison, Valerie and Charlotte), Keri and Neil Rafter (Jayden and Reaghan), and Tom and Jaimee Stemkoski. Ila has two remaining siblings, her brother Arthur Ott (Bengouph, Saskatchewan) and sister Iva Doege (Nipawin, Saskatchewan). Her many nieces and nephews will also miss their Auntie Ila.

Ila was born at Stratton, Ontario and at an early age her family moved to the Big Muddy Valley in southern Saskatchewan. She was drawn to northern Ontario and at the age of 17 ventured to Kenora. She remained a “northerner” for the rest of her days. In 1945 she met and married Peter, an airforce veteran returning from England. The early years of their marriage was spent in Goldrock, on the Manitou. When it was time to send their daughter to school they moved to Wabigoon where Peter and Ila resided until his death in 1992. A short time later, Ila relocated in Dryden.

Ila was well-known in the village of Wabigoon as a person who would lend a helping hand. Her favourite activities included fishing, curling, bingo, Yahtzee, travelling and reading. In later years, as her health was declining, her greatest joy was to spend time with her famil.

Reverend Mary Mennell officiated at a service in rememberance of Ila held at St. John’s Anglican Church (Wabigoon) on Monday, July 20. Her ashes have been interred with Peter at the Wabigoon Cemetery.

Gifts in memory of Ila can be made to DECO Family Council or the CNIB through Stevens Funeral Home, Box 421, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be e-mailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca subject: Stemkoski.