At Fiddick’s Nursing Home, Petrolia, on Monday, January 17, 2022, Alma Chalupka (nee St. Pierre) formerly Alvinston and Glencoe passed away in her 82ndyear. Beloved wife of the late Stanley Chalupka (2020). Dear mother of Mike (late Ann) Chalupka, Julie (Tom) Field, Brian (Jennifer) Chalupka, and Patty (Dennis) Meston and late Rose Marie (1962). Proud grandmother to Jordan Chalupka, Taylor Chalupka, Ashleigh (Greg) McLean, Jennara Field, Kyle (Meagan) Chalupka, Shelby Chalupka (Wesley), Corey Chalupka, Mitch Meston, Logan Meston, Marshall Meston and great-grandmother of Fionnuala McLean. Dear sister of late Frances (Janet) St. Pierre, late Omer St. Pierre, Maurice (Jean) St. Pierre, Mary Lou (Warren) Milliken, Margaret (Casey) Hendrikx, Charles (Emily) St. Pierre and sister-in-law of Barb St. Pierre. Predeceased by her parents Edward and Lauda St. Pierre. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Hope United Church, Alvinston at 10:30 a.m. Due to COVID restrictions, attendance is limited. Only those with an appointment will be allowed in. Pre-registration is required for the service for EVERYONE. Masks and social distancing from the family and those around them is also required. Inurnment to follow at the Alvinston Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Children’s Health Foundation or Diabetes Canada.
Alma was born at her family home in Belle River on March 17th, 1940. She was the first of seven children born to Edward and Lauda St.Pierre. Alma, whether it was her birth order within the family or the responsibilities placed upon her by her parents, she was and will be remembered for being quite stoic. This being said, she cared deeply and took the many losses and burdens of her life as responsibilities that needed to be attended to. Her children believe that her move away from Belle River to Watford during early adolescence, along with the death of her mother, shaped the person she had to become within her own first family. The sum of these losses and future ones put a weight on her shoulders which she felt was hers to bear. These strong emotions would etch their scars on her, effecting how she parented and loved those around her. Meeting and marrying Stan she felt in a lot of ways was her chance of having some happiness. Stan and Alma built a good life together, and raised four children. Mike and Julie came first and it is very easy to see in family photo’s just how much she loved being a mom. Shortly after having Julie, Alma was pregnant with a little girl (Rose-Marie) who was still born. She would talk about her when asked. I recall many times over the years finding her gently weeping, usually standing in the kitchen. She would simply say today is the birthday of the little girl I lost. That was it, I would leave her alone and tread lightly for the day. In true fashion she was (in my eyes) back to normal the next and all was forgotten. (that was her, hold it in – good or bad, don’t let anyone know) The doctor told her to space out the kids a bit so she took it quite literally waiting four years to have Brian and another seven years before having me. Mom will be remembered for her cleaning, cooking, baking and sewing. I could never understand why she would wash the floors when she knew I would be home from school any time – doors all locked so I could not enter. Once allowed in, the smell of something fresh baked (or so we thought) would be permeating the air. ( she would bake cookies in huge batches, freeze and each day rewarm a dozen or so. Brian for his entire childhood thought she was making fresh baked cookies for him every day!! Halloween was always amazing. Mom would sew the costumes and they were heads and tails better than anything someone could purchase in a store.Time visiting with her siblings at their homes, or having them to hers. Good visits, time spent with people she loved and of course a late night “lunch” are memories that will last a lifetime for not only us but for our many cousins. I read once that people show love in five ways: Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Quality Time, Physical Touch and Acts of Service. I half expected when reading to see a small photo of mom next to “Acts of Service”. Never one to be overly “lovey” , her way of showing the people around her she cared was by doing things for them. She softened up enormously with each new grandchild. The years she spent being a grandma, we saw smiles light up her face. They brought her joy and nothing could lighten her face more. On one of her better days at the end, I sat with her and talked about many things. I talked of memories of the past, but it was when I mentioned each of her grandchildren. It was then that I knew she could hear me. It was the memories shared of them that brought a small smile to her face and the knowledge that we were all well and would be alright that gave her what I think is peace to leave us.
Patricia Meston
Special Thanks to all the staff of Wardsville Beattie Manor and Fiddick’s Nursing home for their care of mom in the last stages of her life. We would also like to Thank Marylou and Warren, Barb, Maurice and Jean, and Charles and Emily for all they have done to support Mom over not only her life but in the last few years. Your kindness, thoughtfulness and concern was appreciated.
