Obituary for The Rev'd Thelma Kudelka (Morgan)
THE REVEREND THELMA KUDELKA
The Reverend Thelma Margaret Kudelka (née Morgan) was born in Liverpool, England in 1942. She enjoyed painting and handicrafts and also learned many practical skills through Girl Guides, which would prove useful to her in her life ahead. She became a regular helper at an annual camp for girls with disabilities, Woodlarks, which led to some rich lifelong friendships. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, with an Honours degree in Classics, Thelma began her teaching career at a girls’ boarding school in Sussex. A subsequent year at Liverpool University to obtain professional teaching qualifications included courses in Outdoor Pursuits. These led to instructor certification in dry-slope skiing and dinghy sailing which proved surprisingly useful during her next appointment as Latin teacher at Holyhead Comprehensive School in North Wales. There were opportunities to help with canoeing, sailing, and ski trips to Europe!
In 1975, Thelma met and married Peter and emigrated to Ontario, where her sister already lived. After a year in Stratford, where Thelma tried selling real estate, they moved out to a small holding near Rostock (Welsh Witch Farm) where they raised two children, Drew and Kate, and a small flock of sheep. The first winter of heavy snowfall and frozen pipes was a challenging start to this new life. New experiences led to new skills. Thelma accompanied her children as a leader in the local Scout and Guide groups which brought lasting friendships. So did working with a team selling World Book and later Mannatech products.
After 12 years, with the sheep industry on the decline, they moved to Mitchell where Thelma became an active member of Trinity Anglican Church. In 1992, at age 50, having felt a call to professional ministry in the church, Thelma began her studies for a Master of Divinity degree at the University of Western Ontario. This presented many new challenges: not only the intellectual effort of returning to academic work after a 30-year absence, but also the regular hour-long commutes to London in all weather, while still having school-age children at home and a husband working full-time.
Upon the completion of her four-year degree, no suitable parish opportunities were available, so Thelma instead engaged in community work. During this time, Thelma was working with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, both on the building sites and in the boardroom. An unexpected opportunity arose in 1999 when the Ritz Lutheran Villa began the search for a new chaplain; this would prove to be an ideal ministry for Thelma, and her 7-year chaplaincy was launched.
Reaching the official age of retirement proved to be the start of a series of appointments to provide interim ministry in many small churches across Huron and Perth counties. After a few years of this interstitial and rewarding work, Thelma again retired to enjoy time for babysitting grandchildren, camping, and other travels. Community involvement included a 2-year term on the board of the Ritz Lutheran Villa, helping to plan the new building. By now, Thelma had become actively involved in the work of Main Street United Church, helping with the planning and development of that new building and also serving on the Outreach Committee. She continued to help with the planting and weeding of the gardens around the new church building. She also volunteered on the forestry committee in Mitchell, was a member of the Stratford Field Naturalists, and delivered Meals on Wheels around town until just weeks before her death.
Thelma loved to cook, sew and read. She enjoyed words, cribbage and Scrabble. She found much pleasure in crosswords, puzzles and Sudoku. She always made time to offer a listening ear, whether it was for family, friends, or anyone in the community who needed a confidante with an open heart. Her book club filled her life with spiritual debate and valued friendships. She made frequent visits back to friends and family in England, Wales and Ireland, and instilled a love of travel in her children and grandchildren. Thelma always had a love for watching the waves roll in, and would take day trips to Lake Huron, weekends to Georgian Bay, and holidays often involved taking an RV to a distant shore.
Cancer proved to be Thelma’s final challenge, which she endured with grace and dignity. Thelma passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 2nd, 2023.
Thelma is survived by her loving husband Peter David Kudelka, her son, Andrew Thomas Kudelka (Susan), her daughter, Kathleen Mary Kudelka (Matthew Swift), two grandchildren, Zoë and Milo, her sister, Joyce Elaine Serena (George), as well as family in the UK and across Canada. Thelma was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Dunbar Morgan and Margaret "Peggy" Mary Morgan (née Mason), and her stepmother, Kathleen Roberts Morgan (née Yeardley).
Thelma lived a full life of caring and giving which was an inspiration to her family and friends. She will be missed dearly. May her spirit fly free.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Main Street United Church in Mitchell, Ontario on Saturday, March 11 at 1:30 pm, followed by a tea reception.
Donations in Thelma’s name can be made to the Ritz Lutheran Villa Redevelopment Fund, Main Street United Church, or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
The Reverend Thelma Margaret Kudelka (née Morgan) was born in Liverpool, England in 1942. She enjoyed painting and handicrafts and also learned many practical skills through Girl Guides, which would prove useful to her in her life ahead. She became a regular helper at an annual camp for girls with disabilities, Woodlarks, which led to some rich lifelong friendships. After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, with an Honours degree in Classics, Thelma began her teaching career at a girls’ boarding school in Sussex. A subsequent year at Liverpool University to obtain professional teaching qualifications included courses in Outdoor Pursuits. These led to instructor certification in dry-slope skiing and dinghy sailing which proved surprisingly useful during her next appointment as Latin teacher at Holyhead Comprehensive School in North Wales. There were opportunities to help with canoeing, sailing, and ski trips to Europe!
In 1975, Thelma met and married Peter and emigrated to Ontario, where her sister already lived. After a year in Stratford, where Thelma tried selling real estate, they moved out to a small holding near Rostock (Welsh Witch Farm) where they raised two children, Drew and Kate, and a small flock of sheep. The first winter of heavy snowfall and frozen pipes was a challenging start to this new life. New experiences led to new skills. Thelma accompanied her children as a leader in the local Scout and Guide groups which brought lasting friendships. So did working with a team selling World Book and later Mannatech products.
After 12 years, with the sheep industry on the decline, they moved to Mitchell where Thelma became an active member of Trinity Anglican Church. In 1992, at age 50, having felt a call to professional ministry in the church, Thelma began her studies for a Master of Divinity degree at the University of Western Ontario. This presented many new challenges: not only the intellectual effort of returning to academic work after a 30-year absence, but also the regular hour-long commutes to London in all weather, while still having school-age children at home and a husband working full-time.
Upon the completion of her four-year degree, no suitable parish opportunities were available, so Thelma instead engaged in community work. During this time, Thelma was working with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, both on the building sites and in the boardroom. An unexpected opportunity arose in 1999 when the Ritz Lutheran Villa began the search for a new chaplain; this would prove to be an ideal ministry for Thelma, and her 7-year chaplaincy was launched.
Reaching the official age of retirement proved to be the start of a series of appointments to provide interim ministry in many small churches across Huron and Perth counties. After a few years of this interstitial and rewarding work, Thelma again retired to enjoy time for babysitting grandchildren, camping, and other travels. Community involvement included a 2-year term on the board of the Ritz Lutheran Villa, helping to plan the new building. By now, Thelma had become actively involved in the work of Main Street United Church, helping with the planning and development of that new building and also serving on the Outreach Committee. She continued to help with the planting and weeding of the gardens around the new church building. She also volunteered on the forestry committee in Mitchell, was a member of the Stratford Field Naturalists, and delivered Meals on Wheels around town until just weeks before her death.
Thelma loved to cook, sew and read. She enjoyed words, cribbage and Scrabble. She found much pleasure in crosswords, puzzles and Sudoku. She always made time to offer a listening ear, whether it was for family, friends, or anyone in the community who needed a confidante with an open heart. Her book club filled her life with spiritual debate and valued friendships. She made frequent visits back to friends and family in England, Wales and Ireland, and instilled a love of travel in her children and grandchildren. Thelma always had a love for watching the waves roll in, and would take day trips to Lake Huron, weekends to Georgian Bay, and holidays often involved taking an RV to a distant shore.
Cancer proved to be Thelma’s final challenge, which she endured with grace and dignity. Thelma passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 2nd, 2023.
Thelma is survived by her loving husband Peter David Kudelka, her son, Andrew Thomas Kudelka (Susan), her daughter, Kathleen Mary Kudelka (Matthew Swift), two grandchildren, Zoë and Milo, her sister, Joyce Elaine Serena (George), as well as family in the UK and across Canada. Thelma was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Dunbar Morgan and Margaret "Peggy" Mary Morgan (née Mason), and her stepmother, Kathleen Roberts Morgan (née Yeardley).
Thelma lived a full life of caring and giving which was an inspiration to her family and friends. She will be missed dearly. May her spirit fly free.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Main Street United Church in Mitchell, Ontario on Saturday, March 11 at 1:30 pm, followed by a tea reception.
Donations in Thelma’s name can be made to the Ritz Lutheran Villa Redevelopment Fund, Main Street United Church, or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.