Mary Ulisko

ULISKO, Mary - It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Mary Ulisko (nee Ilchenko). She was the latest born to Solomia and Ewdokym, and was considered their beloved “miracle” baby. In 1967 Mary was crowned the first Miss Ukraine of St. Catharines, and soon after that she captured the heart of William Ulisko. They married and moved north to Deep River early in her teaching career, where she eventually became a high school principal with the Renfrew County District School Board. She had three daughters who all went away for university, so she and Bill moved back to southern Ontario to be closer to family. Mary continued her principalship with the District School Board of Niagara. After retirement her mania for making lists needed a new outlet, and it was the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that benefited from her extreme organization skills during her five year service as parish president. The few times that Mary took a break she enjoyed the finer things in life, like wine, chocolate, book club, and the company of family and friends.

Mary passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton. She will be sorely missed by husband William, daughters Tamara (Siggi), Larissa (John), Oksana (Andriy), and granddaughter Cleo. Also by nieces and nephews Nadya (Andy), Walter, Natalie (Jeff), Andrew, Matthew, Gregory (Alanna), and Patricia. Mary was predeceased by her parents, her sister Natalie (Wasyl), and niece Lena (Russ).

Family and friends are invited to the HULSE & ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME (75 Church Street, St. Catharines, 905-684-6346) for visitation 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm on Tuesday, June 27 (Panachyda at 7:00pm).

Funeral service will be held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George (65 Facer Street in St. Catharines) on Wednesday, June 28 at 9:30am followed by interment at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George (mailing address is 8 Augusta Avenue, St. Catharines, ON, L2M 5R2).