Obituary of Iola "Yollie" Wladeka

Passed away peacefully in her room at Ina Grafton Gage on the evening of February 13, 2018. Born in Timmins, Ontario on June 6, 1927 to parents Dominic and Annatonia Chiola. Predeceased by her loving, husband of 57 years, Walter (2008); her daughter Deborah (2000); her sister Lina (2010); her best friend and sister Anita (2012). Iola (with a Capital i) is survived by brother Ernie Chiola (Charlotte); Her Daughter-Donna (Greg) Finnie, and Son-Martin Walker (Paula). A Beautiful, Gracious and Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother to: Ashley (Shawn) Witte -Brooke, Hailie and Walter; Tiffany Finnie(Steven Gurien); Samantha (Justin) Allcock -Zoe and Nora; Brandon Boychuck-Walker; Brittany Bruinsma (Jake Werner); and Ashley Bruinsma. As well as many nieces and nephews, all who will miss her dearly.

Iola moved to St. Catharines with her family in her late teens, where she worked at Kresge's Department store and then Lightening Fastener. She was a homemaker who enjoyed: crocheting and knitting. In their retirement years, Walter and Yollie could be found at Dunlop Center playing cards and taking short trips to the Casino, Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Montreal; as well as being avid Lawn bowlers, Shuffleboard, Bowling and Walks along the Pier in Port Dalhousie. They loved to go dancing together and were actively involved in Arc Industries. Iola was a longtime volunteer with the St. Catharines Hospital Auxiliary and very active in her Church - St Columba. Walter and Iola enjoyed a trip out west with Martin, and Iola made it back to Timmins on a road trip with Donna in her later years. We are so grateful for the life we got to share with our mother and as she did, and would always say: "Make Good Memories".

Iola always wanted her final home to be Ina Grafton and we are so very grateful that she was able to live her last couple of her years in a place and room that she loved. She would always say how great the staff was to her "super duper" and so we are very grateful to Ina Grafton (especially Deb) and to Kim at CCAC and Gerry at the Alzheimer society.  

Iola is resting at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St., with visitation on Friday, February 16 from 7-9pm. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 1pm on Saturday, February 17 at the funeral home. A Rite of Committal will take place at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Living, Alzheimer's Society or St. Columba Anglican Church.