Obituary of SISTER ISIDORE (HELEN) BALAWYDER, OSB

SISTER ISIDORE (HELEN) BALAWYDER, OSB Peacefully Sr. Isidore Balawyder entered eternal life on January 24, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Monastery. Sr. Isidore was born in Dobrowody, Saskatchewan on August 10, 1920 to Isidore and Katie (Katherina Tereleski) Balawyder She was the ninth child in a family of five girls and six boys. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict in Arborg, Manitoba on October 13, 1936 and made her monastic profession on July 11, 1939. Throughout her religious life Sr. Isidore was a model of the spirit of Benedictine spirituality in her care of the sick, hospitality, community and personal prayer especially the rosary, service to others, and love of family, gardening, and friends. Throughout her religious life she accepted willingly whatever was asked of her including working in the laundry, kitchen, caring for children, nursing, serving as sub-prioress, delivering food to soup kitchens and providing home care to the elderly. Her places of ministry included the hospitals in Birtle, Winnipegosis, Gimli and Russell Manitoba, as well as the old St. Paul’s College on Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg, Sifton, Camp Morton, and St. Benedict’s School and Manor in Arborg, Manitoba and St. Benedict’s Monastery in Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her parents, Isidore and Katie (Katherina) and all her siblings – sisters Mary (Matsalla), Sr. Anna (Eustacia), Bernice (Wiwchar), Lena (Matysik) and brothers Peter, who died at age 6, John, Mike, Louis, Tony and Aloysius, as well as nieces and nephews. She is survived by the members of her monastic community and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and several close friends. The Vigil Service will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Benedict’s Monastery Chapel, presided by Sr. Virginia Evard, Prioress. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 30, 2015, 10:30 a.m., presided by Fr. Richard Arsenault at St. Benedict’s Monastery Chapel, with interment following in the Monastery Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should family and friends so desire, donations may be made in Sr. Isidore’s memory to St. Benedict’s Foundation, 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R4A 2A1 The Sisters wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Terry Babick and Darlene Patterson and June Danners of St. Benedict’s Health Centre for their loving care and support of Sr. Isidore. May she rest in peace.