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Sister Ambrose Pauline Stachiw, SSMI

September 23, 1933 – May 27, 2026

Sister Ambrose Pauline Stachiw fell asleep in the Lord at Bethany Home, Winnipeg, MB 27 May, 2026 at 92 years of age and 74 years in religious life.

Pauline was born in Hryhoriw, Ukraine, to Vasyl Stachiw and Irene Sawkiw 23 September 1933, the fourth of five children. In 1937 they emigrated to Canada settling first in Saltcoats, SK and then in Edmore, SK. Here, Pauline attended the local school up to Grade 10.

Life changed for Pauline in September 1950 when she enrolled at Sacred Heart Academy in Yorkton, run by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.  It was there that she was drawn to dedicate her life to the Lord.  Upon completion of her Grade 11 in June 1951, she entered the SSMI 29 July.  On 30 January 1952 she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Ambrose. She pronounced her first vows 31 January 1954, her perpetual vows 15 August 1957.       

Upon completion of Grade 12 in 1955 she attended Saskatoon Teachers’ College. Then for a number of years, she taught in Prince Albert, SK, Winnipeg, MB and Yorkton, SK.  She held positions of principalship in Yorkton; she also taught and was Superior at SHA, her Alma Mater.

In 1971, Sr. Ambrose was appointed Directress of Formation.  She furthered her education in this field by studying Formation at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA from 1975-78 and then returned to Canada to take up her position as Directress of Novices in Mundare, AB until 1981.

Sister served her SSMI Community first as a Provincial Councilor, from 1969-1972 and then as Vice-Provincial Superior from 1972-75.

In 1981 Sr. Ambrose was elected Provincial Superior of the SSMI in Canada, a position she held until 1993. During her terms, various initiatives were undertaken, including the on-going formation of the Sisters as well as the 100th celebration of the Congregation’s founding.

Following a sabbatical year at the Franciscan University, in Steubenville, OH Sr. Ambrose was missioned to New Westminster, BC in 1994 where she was involved in the catechetical ministry of the Eparchy until 2009.  She was first reassigned to Mundare, AB and then in 2012 to Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster, ON where she remained until 2023.  Due to her declining health, she was moved to Winnipeg where more support was available.

Throughout these years, she kept an active correspondence with friends and benefactors. She loved being with people, and especially valued visits with her family in Saskatchewan and the USA.  Throughout the many decades of her ministry, she travelled extensively to Rome, England, France, Germany, Australia, and Ukraine.         

Sister Ambrose will be remembered by all who knew her as a gentle, down-to-earth, diplomatic and wise woman. She loved to laugh, and her sense of humour was flavoured with the simple joys of life. She delighted in the subtle signs of God’s presence, which few would see in a life pace as hectic as hers.

Sister Ambrose was predeceased by her parents, brother John and sister Margaret (Jack) Misener. She is survived by her sister Mary Leier (late James), and brother Paul (Denise), nieces and nephews, with their families, and her Sisters in the SSMI congregation.

We wish to thank Drs. Terry and Andrea Babick for their outstanding concern and support and the staff of Bethany Home for their loving care.

The Funeral Service, presided by Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak OSBM, will be held at 131 Aberdeen Avenue, Winnipeg, on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.  It will be livestreamed and the link to the service is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05vJD5R0VoA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lubov Foundation or a charity of your choice.

May Sr. Ambrose’s memory be eternal!

LIVESTREAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05vJD5R0VoA