Emilia Bulandra

Emilia Bulandra

Sadly, on the night of Friday, August 18th, 2023, Emilia Bulandra, wife of the late Karel Bulandra, made her peaceful transition into eternity at the age of 92. 

Emilia Bulandra (nee Dziedzich) was born on March 21st, 1931 to parents Maria and Antoniy Dziedzich on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Emilia’s formative years were spent during the Great Depression, which indelibly shaped her character.  From a very young age she knew the value of hard work, and the blessings of having a large garden to feed the family, especially when jobs were scarce. As a child who endured the Depression, her life was forged by poverty and adversity, and her character defined by honesty, fairness, generosity, resilience, and a very strong work ethic.

Eventually in her early childhood she joined the work force where she assembled electrical appliances in a factory.  Later, as an accomplished seamstress, she worked and sewed in a fashionable clothing boutique for wealthy Argentinians.  She worked at this job until the age of 40.

In April 1970, she received the opportunity of a lifetime.  She got an invitation from her sister in Canada, Jean Mateyko to come to Canada.  She gladly accepted, and arrived in May, of 1971.

Emilia became a member of St. Andrews Ukrainian Catholic Church. Eager to learn English she enrolled at the International Centre.  It was here she met the love of her life, Karel Bulandra, whom had immigrated to Canada from Czechia.  They eventually married on November 10th, 1973 by Father Joseph Pulak, a long time parish priest at St. Andrews.

Anxious to join the work force, her niece Donna Mendres, who was a receptionist at Winnipeg Photo, then owned by the Erlichman family, got her a job in the photo department where she faithfully worked for 25 years before retiring in 1995, at the age of 65.

In her leisure time Emilia enjoyed reading, her flower garden, and embroidery.  Together with Karel she immensely enjoyed traveling to Czechia, Europe, United States and Mexico.

After the passing of Karel, she continued living on her own until it became too challenging.

She eventually became a resident of Holy Family Home where she spent her last 2 years.

Her nieces Donna and Alice are very grateful for the compassionate care given to her by the staff of Holy Family Home, 2A.

She leaves the following family to mourn her loss: nieces, Donna Mendres (Gordon) and Alice Kulyk (Walter) and their extended families, as well as Karel’s family in Czechia: three sister – in – laws, Zdenka, Marta and Anka and one brother in law, Gerta and their extended families.  As well as many friends in both the Ukrainian and Czechia communities.  

She was predeceased by her parents Maria and Antoniy, and sisters Maria Dziedzich and Eugenia Mateyko.

Vichnaya Pamyat 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lubov SSMI Foundation Inc.,1085 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R2W 3S1

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