Lillian Juk

Lillian Juk (nee Kalmakoff), affectionately known as Lily, died suddenly in Vancouver earlier this year. Being a mother most of all, she did everything for her "boys", Michael and Peter, who feel the pain of her absence most deeply. But Lily was also a gifted teacher who influenced many young lives during a thirty-five year teaching career. Lily spent her early childhood in Saskatchewan later moving with her family to British Columbia where she graduated early from Duke of Connaught High School in New Westminster. She attended BC Normal School whereupon she landed her first job, at age 17, in a one-room schoolhouse in Delta, BC. She was the school's teacher, principal and janitor, occasionally commuting there, from New Westminster, by bicycle. Lily eventually completed a Bachelor of Education degree at UBC. She did additional course work there in Education, Anthropology and Arts during a sabbatical year in the mid 80's. She was a voracious reader, a life-long learner, a music lover, a cryptic crossword master, an intrepid stick shift driver, and a recent convert to gymnastics fandom, thanks to her grandchildren. In addition to Michael and Peter, Lily is survived by Michael's wife, Zita; their children Ilka and Tamas; Peter's son, Adam; Lily's sister, Virginia (James) Stocco; niece, Nina (Gordon) Hobbis and their children, Jake and Joey; nephew, Leo; members of the extended Juk family; and many friends, colleagues, and former students from her teaching days. Sincere thanks go to Dr. Caroline Stigant, Malca Casiro, and the other fine people at the Royal Jubilee Hospital renal unit, who helped make Lily's last few years in Victoria a little better. At Lily's request there was no service held and flowers are respectfully declined.