It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Olga Hilash on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the age of 92 years.

Olga was born in Janow (Elma), Manitoba on February 10, 1931, to Peter Kohut and Mary Proceviat. Her father was a railroad track maintenance worker for Canadian National Railways (CNR), and they lived at Malachi, Ontario, along the CNR mainline in northeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. This location was only accessible by the railway during her childhood, so she had the very unique experience of receiving all her elementary school education through the railway school car system. When Olga was about nine years old, her mother died of tuberculosis, leaving her father as a single parent.

During the summers of her late teen years, Olga worked for the local storekeeper in Malachi, delivering groceries and supplies to cottagers on Lake Malachi, using a motorboat on her own. She moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to attend high school and business college, boarding with various families. After business college, Olga worked for several large corporations in Winnipeg, notably Great West Life.

While residing in Winnipeg, Olga was an active member of the parish of Saints Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. She was a church choir member there and acted as a Scoutmaster for the parish’s cub and scout group. Olga was an executive member of the local and provincial Ukrainian Catholic Youth organization.

She was a member of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Kerr-Wilson Choir and the Bassie Contemporary Choir, both located in Winnipeg.

Olga met John Hilash at that parish, just before he joined the RCMP in 1952 and they were married at the Cathedral in 1956.

Olga and John became members of the parish of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ottawa, Ontario in 1956. She was a proud member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada (UCWLC) and served on various committees and on the executive of the parish branch. Olga volunteered as a Scoutmaster for the parish’s Cub and Scout group, and provided nursing aid to the Red Cross, serving the Ottawa community with pride.

Olga and John had two sons, Mark and Bohdan, who were born in Ottawa, Ontario.

In 1971, Olga and John moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta, and both became members of St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic parish in Edmonton, Alberta. She continued her work as a member and executive with the parish branch of the UCWLC. In 2001, Olga became president of this parish branch and served on the UCWLC Edmonton Eparchy council. Olga continued her work with the church as a member of the parish council and board of management and volunteered for 35 years at St. Basil’s Cultural Centre.

While in the Edmonton area, Olga worked as a bookkeeper and payroll administrator for Canadian Tire and Tricil.

After John and Olga retired in Sherwood Park, she served with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans Association, and as a committee member of the National Association of Federal Retirees (formerly the Federal Superannuates National Association).

Olga is survived by her sons, Mark (Linda Tresham) and Bohdan; and grandchildren, Jasmine Hilash and Anska Hilash.

Prayers will be held Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 – 111 Avenue, Edmonton. A Divine Liturgy will be held Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church 7007 – 109 Street, Edmonton with interment in Rosehill Cemetery. To view a livestream of the service, please select “Webcasting” from the menu on this page.