1927 — 2023

Sister Valerie Krochenski passed to her eternal reward on May 22, 2023, at Mary Immaculate Health Care Centre in Mundare at 95 years of age and 76 years in religious life.

Sister Valerie Sophie Krochenski was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, on July 17, 1927, the youngest of eight children of Ignatius Krochenski and Natalia Mady (Madaj).

Sophie completed her Grade 12 in Kindersley in 1946. After graduation, she took a year of business college in Saskatoon, and then, experiencing the call of the Lord, applied to enter the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. She was accepted, and arrived at the novitiate in Ancaster, ON, on March 21, 1947; she received her habit on September 22 of that year, taking the religious name, Sister Valerie. She made first profession of vows on September 24, 1949, and final profession, August 15, 1956.

After her Novitiate, Sister Valerie attended Normal School in Hamilton, ON, and soon after, began life-long teaching career. She taught grade 1 in Detroit, MI, and kindergarten in Toronto. In 1952, she was transferred to Edmonton, where she taught grades 5 and 6, while also taking summer courses at U of Alberta. After only four years of teaching, she was already receiving glowing reports from the Department of Education.

In 1959-60, Sister Valerie studied full time at the U of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, receiving her Standard Certificate in Teaching. She continued through summer courses to complete her B.Ed. in1964. In 1960-61, she was appointed Provincial Secretary in Toronto. She resumed teaching in 1961, at Sacred Heart Academy, later Sacred Heart High School, owned and run by the SSMI, in Yorkton, SK. She spent the rest of her grade-school teaching in that institution. Her rapport with her students continued to be exceptional. Her lessons were engaging and challenging, and always brought out the best in her students.

Sister Valerie decidedly preferred the high school level, teaching Biology, History and Christian Ethics. Today, an annual award in Sister Valerie's name is given for proficiency in Biology at Sacred Heart. But it was in the extra-curricular activities that she supervised, particularly the musicals, where she was best able to appreciate the gifts and talents of her students. After retirement, she maintained many close friendships with her students, and the staff with whom she worked. She was known for the love she showed to those whom and with whom she taught, and for her good common sense.

Sister Valerie taught for 32 years. She also served her Community in leadership positions, as Superior in Edmonton, Yorkton, Toronto, Saskatoon, Ancaster and Mundare; and as Provincial Secretary, Provincial Councillor and Vice-Provincial Superior on the Administrative team of the Congregation. She was a moderator of the SSMI Associates in Saskatoon and served in Religious Education Centers in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. As administrator of the Mount Mary Retreat Centre, in Ancaster, she offered spiritual direction on request as well.

Sister Valerie had opportunities for spiritual enrichment, through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, in Guelph, ON, a year of studies in the Credo program in Spokane, WA, and a 10-month program of studies in the Holy Lands. She took courses on the Psalms, and Christian Spirituality, at Newman Theological College, in Edmonton, and courses on Religious Vows, Charism and Catholic Action, in other locations. She took her spiritual life seriously, receiving spiritual direction, journaling and applying it to her personal and communal life.

Family was very important to Sister Valerie, and her vacation time was often spent with them. In the earlier years, she visited with her parents in Kindersley, SK, until they passed on, and later, with her siblings and their families, in Kindersley, and in British Columbia, Alberta and Arizona. But she also enjoyed relaxing times with her SSMI family, in various parts of Canada and the United States. She also toured Europe, in Italy, Germany and France, in 1973, and Austria and Ukraine in 1993.When she studied in the Holy Land, she also visited Egypt.

Sister Valerie was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Helen Kuz, Mary Grocholski and Ann Mazzei; brothers Paul, Peter, Stanley and Walter and their spouses. She is survived by many nieces and nephews with their families, and the Sisters in the SSMI Congregation.

Parastas Friday, May 26, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Home, Mundare with Basilian Fathers officiating. Divine Liturgy Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Home with Bishop David Motiuk and Father Iryney Valavka, OSBM officiating. Interment following the service at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery, Mundare.

May her memory be eternal. Вічная Пам’ять!