Nellie Matiece

The family of the late Nellie Matiece, beloved wife of the late Metro Matiece, announce her passing at the Norquay Health Centre on September 21, 2021, at the age of 102 years.
Nellie was born on January 12, 1919, to Nicholi and Maria (Kobelka) Gulak in Canora, SK. She was the fifth child in a family of nine and was raised in the Gorlitz area. Her parents farmed and her mother worked for other people, as money was scarce in the “Dirty Thirties.” Nellie attended Ukraina School, to which she had to walk three miles. As she entered grade nine, her father could no longer afford the necessary books and supplies for Nellie to continue her education, thus, although she was a very capable student, Nellie had to sacrifice her education. She quit school and gained employment working for neighbours who paid her five dollars per month to milk cows, take care of the baby, hoe the garden, plaster the granaries, and fork straw away from the thresher.
With her family, Nellie attended St. Basil’s Church which was about one and a half miles from their home, and they often walked.
While visiting her sister and brother-in-law in the Swan Plain area, Nellie met the love of her life, Metro, and they were married in Heritage Church, Canora, SK, on November 1, 1934. Together, they celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Throughout her life, Nellie enjoyed gardening, quilting, making sunflower cushions, cooking, baking, volunteering at the church and the N.I.C.E. Centre, and especially loved when anybody would drop in to visit. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed all the time spent with them. Above all, her faith in the Lord has been her strength and guidance throughout her life. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Nellie was predeceased by her parents, Nicholi and Maria Gulak; husband, Metro; and her siblings.
She is survived by her son, Wesley (Lena) Matiece; daughters, Lori (Greg) Hudye and Livia (Rick) Dahlin; grandchildren: Jana (Jason) Danielson, Amanda Hudye, Nathan (Chrissy) Hudye, Lisa (Mike) Meadows, Rebekah (Chris) Robb, and Katelyn (Daniel) Randall, and 10 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A Prayer Service was held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 26, 2021, from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK. The Funeral Service was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 27, 2021, from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora, SK, with Rev. Fr. Petro Tsenov officiating. Interment followed at the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, Canora, SK, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Nellie Matiece.