KELENC, Cecilija

Cecilija Kelenc

1931 – 2020

Mrs. Cecilija Kelenc, beloved wife of Matija (Mathew) Kelenc, passed away peacefully October 16, 2020 at St Therese Villa, in Lethbridge, Alberta, at the age of 89 years.

Cecilija was born in 1931, in Odranci, Slovenia. In 1958, together with her husband Matija and their two daughters, they journeyed to Canada, settling in Lethbridge. Cecilija’s first job was at a Cannery, where her and her husband where both able to work. This allowed her to work days, and her husband to work nights, ensuring that someone would be home with their 2 daughters. In 1959, she was hired as a member of the kitchen staff, at St. Michael’s Hospital. She enjoyed her job, and the many wonderful friendships she had with the kitchen and hospital staff. After her retirement, she spent much of her time gardening so she could share her abundance with her family and friends.

Cecilija loved spoiling her children with her cooking and baking, and she never missed an occasion to bring us all together so we could feast upon her “old country” recipes, and her sense of humour. She always spoke her “truth,” blessing us with many unique insights, that we will remember and cherish forever. Her most beloved memories came from the camping and fishing trips she took with her husband and grandchildren, and all the time she was able to spend with her sister Anna. She loved having her nephew Joe come over, joking with him and reminiscing about their lives, and families still living in Slovenia. Some of her most memorable get togethers were with her “Old Country” friends who were very near and dear to her heart.

In 2013, Cecilija was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. For the past 7 years she has lived at St Therese Villa, where she was blessed with the kindness, love, and wonderful care, from the Memory Care Unit staff. During these years she became very tender hearted, and even though she talked very little, she still blessed us, and her caregivers, with her wonderful sense of humour.

Thank you for the memories dear Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and Aunt we will cherish you and our memories together – forever.

Cecilija is survived by her loving daughters Bernarda (Ron) Dickie, Dragica (Vince) De Pippo, and son Matthew (Cheryl) Kelenc. Granddaughters Vanesa (Dan) Lott, Jennifer (Barrett) Gysemans, Amanda (Kurtis) Staples-King, Vanessa (Peter) Principalli, Jennifer De Pippo, and Grandsons Ryan (Kathy) Telkamp, Travis (Traci) Dickie, and Reed McCowan, and her 9 Great Grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Cecilija you will be sadly missed by your loving family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on Friday, October 23, 2020 at the MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

We would like to thank the staff at St Therese Villa’s Memory Care Unit for the loving and caring support they provided, during Cecilija’s time with them. They are truly angels on earth.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish to honour Cecilija’s memory may send a donation to the St. Therese Foundation, 253 Southgate Blvd. South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 2S1.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.