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Walter Joseph Sribney

1931 - 2016

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Miranda Sokalski posted a condolence

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Dear Lorie and family, I was saddened to hear about Walter's passing. Though I didn't know him, I had been meaning to get in touch with him to send my condolences and hopefully comfort him in the loss of your mother. When I heard he had passed away as well, I felt horrible for procrastinating on that. But I realized that you might like to read these words, so here they are: Like many children in the area, your mom (Mrs. Sribney) taught me Grade One. When I was in her class, I loved her so much - she was so nice to all of us. She was very patient and welcoming and always made a point of reminding us how special we were - not only to her as our teacher, but to our families and friends and the world as a whole. (To this day, when I might get a little cocky and self-sure, my siblings call me out on it; I like to tell them I will never get over it, since it started in Grade One, where I was told daily how amazing I am! Haha!) Grade One was many years ago for me (1988), and I don't remember too much about it. I do remember how I felt, though. I felt valued and very loved. As an adult, I realize how difficult the early years of school can be on kids, as they transition from their familiar home to the strange (and sometimes scary) wider world. In trying to navigate that part of my life, Mrs. Sribney was one of my biggest supports and proudest cheerleaders. She had so many squirming little kids in her care, but she strove to make each one of us feel as though we were the best, most wonderful child to walk the earth. Simply put, she was pure love. The years went by and I didn't think too much about your lovely mother. I would see her around Vegreville and say hello, but I never imagined she would remember me, since she had so many kids trotting into and out of her life (she taught my aunty Grade One as well, and my aunty is almost 60 years old!) On the night of my high school graduation, while laughing and snapping pictures with my friends, I was shocked to see your mom walking toward me. I hadn't seen her in the crowd during the ceremony and I certainly hadn't expected she would be in attendance! I couldn't believe it when she congratulated me by name and handed me a scrapbook she had made for me. She included pictures of my Grade One class, a few samples of some of the work I'd done in school, and various other little memorabilia. Thinking of it now, as a person who is sometimes bogged down by the adult realities of life, I tear up to realize that all those years ago, when she told us she loved us - when she told us that God loved us and that we matter to the world - those weren't just words. Those were realities! That gift she gave me at graduation demonstrated that I was someone to her. She saved that stuff for me for 12 years! To me, that's absolutely amazing. What a wonderful woman your mother was! She contributed so much to the world, and we need more like her! I have a hunch that your dad played a very big part in supporting her through her vocation as a teacher. Every time I saw the two of them together, they seemed to be so kind to each other. Last year at the Vegreville Fair, I was driving a shuttle to take people to and from their vehicles. Your mom was very fragile, but your dad was patient and helpful, giving her his arm to help her up onto the shuttle. I just loved to see the respect your dad had for his bride. Though I never knew him, I'm sure he was also a gem. My most sincere condolences on your loss. Miranda Sokalski

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