I just want to share with family members and friends of Olga Hilash that she was a very dear and special friend to me.

I used to live across the street from Olga with my brother Jason.  I didn't really know Olga or John during those days, but after my brother's future wife moved in with him and I moved out, every time I came for a visit - which was several times a year - I stopped by for a visit with Olga.  (What I remember of John is that he seemed like a very gentle, humble man.)

Our friendship began to grow, and she entrusted me to come into her home and to help do chores both inside the house and in the front and back yards.  I told Olga on several occasions that I always felt at peace whenever I spent time in her back yard, or when I sat on the patio with her and enjoyed a home-made sandwich and a drink.

Quite often Olga made meals for me, and they were always delicious.  I enjoyed her sense of humour and any stories that she shared with me.  Sometimes, I'd go with her to help her wash her car, and I'd share duties with Jason, occasionally shoveling snow from the driveway or the walks.  Once I even drove up for a weekend and reshingled the shed beside the house!  Olga was always overjoyed with the work I did for her, and I felt fortunate being able to spend that time with her.

Most, though, I'm most grateful for the friendship, the love, and the spirituality that Olga shared with me.  She was always willing to offer a shoulder or an ear, and to give me encouragement, always stressing that God had a plan for me, and that I was to believe that God had good things in store for me.  That always meant a lot to me!  And Olga always took time to write letters to me.  I don't know where she got the time - or the energy - because I know that she was always thinking of and taking care of each of you!

Like all of you, I do and will miss Olga very much.  Both of my parents passed away in the last 3 years, and it's a very difficult life experience.  But just as I know that my mom and dad were destined to be together - and that they have been reunited in paradise to share eternity together - so, too, Olga and John are back together, and are just at the start of their eternal journey with each other.

May God watch over all of you, and may God watch over Olga.

Derek Becher