Marlene Sahulka

MARLENE JULIA SAHULKA (NEE MARCHENSKI)

Marlene Julia Sahulka (Marchenski), aged 86, of Selkirk, Manitoba, passed away September 1, 2025 at the Selkirk Transitional Care Unit after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born on February 5, 1939 to Lawrence and Pearl (Tina) Marchenski in Winnipegosis, Manitoba.

Marlene is predeceased by her husband Emil, parents Lawrence and Pearl, sister Lorraine and brother Murray. She is survived by her children Lawrence, Nadine (Vince), Clinton (Jeanine), Jeff (Sultana) and Genevieve (Stacey), and her grandchildren Sara, Quinn, Eve, Raymond, Mason, Monica, Colin, Isaak, Lukas and Elijah.

Marlene attended school in Winnipegosis, completing grade 11 at the Winnipegosis Collegiate in June 1956.  She then moved to Winnipeg and attended St. Mary’s Academy Catholic High School to complete university pre-requisites.  Marlene attended the University of Manitoba and graduated from the Pharmacy Program in 1962.

Marlene married Emil on May 20, 1961 and began her career as a pharmacist at the Children's Hospital in Winnipeg in 1962. Two years later, she worked in retail pharmacy for the Bay in downtown Winnipeg.   Emil accepted an automotive mechanic instructor's position at the Selkirk Comprehensive High School, and they moved to St. Andrews in 1973.  In Selkirk, Marlene worked as a pharmacist at Western Drug Mart, and then Shopper’s Drug Mart until her retirement in April 2000. She received a certificate and pin for the 50th anniversary of her continuous membership in the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association in April 2012. Retirement gave Marlene the opportunity to spend quality time visiting her children and grandchildren, living throughout Canada and the United States.  She also had many memorable vacations to Mexico, eastern and western Canada and most of the United States.  Marlene really enjoyed her casino trips with her friends.

As a widow, Marlene participated in the Manitoba Citizens on Patrol Program in St. Andrews, became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 42 in Selkirk, and joined the Catholic Women’s League.  She moved to Selkirk in April 2011, which allowed her to be closer to friends made through her volunteering and community activities.  Marlene received her 20-year pin from the Catholic Women’s League in December 2023. She was an active member of Notre Dame Catholic Church from 1973 until her passing. Marlene eventually moved into the Cambridge House Retirement Residence, and loved the simplicity of a smaller setting freeing up even more time to participate in the activities she enjoyed in the town she loved.

With her excellent memory, Marlene was the family historian, keeping meticulous records of her immediate and extended family.  This included birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. She especially enjoyed creating a variety of photo albums and scrapbooks.  Marlene was always the organizer, labelling items and chronicling her life.  She was wonderful at acknowledging birthdays of each member of the family, mailing gifts and cards no matter the distance or her situation. Marlene enjoyed sending thank you and gift cards to recognize the effort of others.

In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place and Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Selkirk, MB. The service will be livestreamed via the following link  https://youtube.com/live/NPtj9Wbbsu4?feature=share

The family would like to send a special thanks to the Selkirk Hospital and the Transitional Care Unit for their wonderful care of their mother over the last several months.  The family sends a special thanks to Dr. Margaret Speer for her exemplary communication with Marlene and family, respecting her dignity and wishes.  It cannot be overstated how thankful they all were for her diligence over the years. 

Marlene supported various charities, two of which included the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Salvation Army.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army, or charity of your choice.

Tributes: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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