Joanne Ivanka Bilecki

Joanne passed away at Sherbrooke Community Centre on Monday August 4, 2014.   Joanne was born on June 23, 1938 in Serbia (SRBIJA) Yugoslavia.  As a young woman she immigrated to Canada with her husband John Zivan Bilecki in September of 1958. They were married in 1957 and had 2 girls Gloria and Susan.  She had a passion for people and hospitality, which was always a part of her career and family life.  Her career took her from her first job in Canada with Dog and Suds Drive In in Saskatoon and various other cafeteria establishments.  She was the Vice President of Hickory Farms of Canada in the 80’s which allowed her to travel all across North America.   She became her own entrepreneur and had several of her own food facilities, including Cherry Lane cafeteria in the YWCA Saskatoon, and her last one in the YMCA Saskatoon until 1999 when she chose to retire.  Left to mourn are her husband John Zivan Bilecki; three children - son Dragan Golubovic (Elke) and their daughter Natalie of Germany, daughter Gloria Katelnikoff (Ken) and their son Michael McKechnie (Christine),  daughter Susan Matiko (Bill) and their daughters Sophia and Serena; sisters Duša Dordević of Beograd, SRBIJA (Serbia), Nada Anderson of Vancouver, BC; sister-in-law Donna Maksic of Saskatoon; numerous nieces and nephews. Joanne last resided in Sherbrooke Community Centre in the Dementia  ward where she had a lot of special friends and was looked after by those who treated her like family and gave her the outmost care while looking after all her needs.  We are thankful for all the staff at Sherbrooke who seem to have been handpicked for her journey. A Public Viewing will  be held on Thursday, August 7 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Mourning Glory Funeral Services (1201 - 8th Street East).  The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8th at Windsor Chapel (704 Windsor Street).  Interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, with a reception following back at Windsor Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s society.  Arrangements in care of Cheryl Carlson - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (306-978-5200)