Olga Robinson of Red Deer County passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the age of 96 years.

Olga was born on April 21, 1929, in Ceheinia, Ukraine. On May 28, 1929, she, along with her sister Helen and her parents, Wasyl and Mary Borys, sailed on the long trip to Canada. They lived on a homestead in Evansburg during the Depression. There were so many amazing stories Mom told us that it’s hard for our generation to grasp. It was raw homestead land, so none of it had been broken. Her dad did not have a tractor—all he had was some tools, two horses, and a couple of cows. They raised pigs to sell and chickens for their own use. Her dad built a house, barn, chicken coop, shelter, and fence for the pigs. He dug a well by hand, put a trap door on it, and built their house around it since there was no water pump. They would drop a pail down to lift up the water. The animals could drink from the creek by the barn. Her mom planted a large garden and had a root cellar to store the food. For food, they had chicken and eggs, sauerkraut, and sometimes deer meat, wild partridge, and rabbits. Her mom would make homemade cottage cheese, perogies, and cabbage rolls (holopchi).

They had to learn English and walked two miles cross-country to a one-room schoolhouse. They went to Sunday School, where she first learned about Jesus. In March 1943, they moved to Red Deer, where her dad started a shoemaking business, “Red Deer Shoe Hospital.” Mom met her very handsome future husband, Jack Robinson, when Jack and his dad helped finish building the shop with living quarters upstairs. Then the love story began. They married on March 26, 1949, and were very happily married for 76 years. They started out living in a small 8’ by 16’ homemade trailer. They then bought four lots in Hillsboro (which is now Eastview), moved a small 770-square-foot house onto one of the lots, and renovated it—and that house is still there today! In 1956, they moved to their farm in Balmoral and built their present house there in 1962. They had a wonderful life on the farm, raising their three children: Darlene, Larry, and Stuart. And Mom, of course with Dad’s help, had the best garden and most beautiful flowers you could imagine—with no weeds!

Mom and Dad’s last few years were spent at Villa Marie, where they could see each other every day, hold hands, share memories, and call each other “my sweetheart.” They would memorize scripture verses together and recite them. Mom would sing love songs to Dad from their wedding. Dad went to Heaven to be with the Lord on August 2, 2025, with Mom, his sweetheart, holding his hand.

Mom was an amazing wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, and great-great-grandma. She was the most loving, caring, and gracious godly woman we know. She would wake up early in the morning, around 4 a.m., to pray for her family and friends by name and read her Bible many times throughout the day. Even when she was admitted to hospital and waiting in ER for many hours, she recited the names of the books of the Old Testament and could name them in order—which was amazing! Her biggest wish and mission in life is described in her own words as follows: “My special prayer for you, my dear family and friends, is that you would each make a decision to follow Jesus because He can make such a difference in your life. He loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him. My greatest joy is to hear that someone has come to know Jesus as their Savior, so that one day we can all be together in Heaven.”

Olga is lovingly remembered by her children: Darlene (George) McFarlane, Larry (Joan) Robinson, and Stuart (Michelle) Robinson; six grandchildren: Paul, Blake, Tony, Levi (in Heaven), and Justin; nine great-grandchildren: Brandon, Sabrina, Michael (in Heaven), Emilee, Brad, Marissa, Zach, Talen, and Porter; and eleven great-great-grandchildren: Coby, Hana, Noah, Michael, Ayden (in Heaven), Rykker, Dawson, Alayah, Jaeben, Aria, and James.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 3901 – 44 St, Red Deer AB, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Please join us after the service for a time of sharing memories, cake, and refreshments.

Condolences to Olga’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Olga Robinson” in the subject line.

 

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

• Date : 2025-12-26
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB "Locally Owned"