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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

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-        www.stmarysbrooks.ca/livestream

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With love in our hearts, we say goodbye to our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother & friend, Elaine, wife of the late Mike Orlita, as she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and her dear friends, on January 4th, 2026, at the age of 95.  It is hard to know where to start, when describing this amazing woman.  Mom was born in Bassano, Alberta on February 1, 1930 to Alice & Cliff Fleury.  She grew up in Gleichen with one sister and 4 brothers, before moving to Brooks, when she was 14.  They were a close family and they all loved music and to play cards & games together.  When she was 23, she went with friends to play tennis and then after they played cards for nickels.  Someone brought a new guy, Mike Orlita, who gave her some of his nickels, so she could stay in the game.  That was the beginning of their love story.  They were married June 21, 1954.  They had four children, Sherri, Deb, Leonard & Leanne.  Mom was an amazing wife & mother that led by example.  After high school, Mom trained to be a Registered Nurse at Holy Cross Hospital.  Once she graduated she went to work in the maternity ward of the Brooks Hospital, until she became a mother.  As a young mom, she took on extra work that would fit into her schedule.  She worked at St. Mary's Catholic Church as the caretaker for many years.  Stripping wax from the marble floors, re-waxing them and keeping the pews polished, often with the kids along helping. From 1968 to 1976, Mom and Dad started beekeeping outside of Dad's full-time job.  That was also a family run business.  Mom's bee yard sandwiches and thermos coffee, sweetened with honey, were favorites of all us kids.  She had a deep love for faith, family & friends, enjoying weekly visits with family and her special friends. After the passing of her father Cliff in 1991, her mother Alice moved into assisted living.  Mom would visit and care for Alice daily, until her mom passed away in 2009, at the age of 105. Mom had a deep devotion to her family.  Mom was an accomplished seamstress, often making clothes for her children. Special dresses for first communion or for Leanne's first school dance in grade 10. She was a hard worker and loved to see the fruits of her labors. Mom also enjoyed having her hands in the soil and growing a large garden to feed her family and later to plant petunias, roses and other flowers. She enjoyed anything to keep her precious hands busy, cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and cross stitch. She also enjoyed card playing her entire life.  Mom & Dad were instrumental in organizing the Duplicate Bridge Club of Brooks, playing weekly in Brooks and traveling to tournaments.  Mom & Dad always enjoyed the competition of any sports, watching with Mike on TV or watching her kids and grandkids.  Mom loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother.  Those precious little ones gave her such joy. Her FaceTime visits with her great-grandchildren were a highlight and if she was talking to someone else at the time that they rang in, it was an abrupt click.  In July 2011, Mom had a minor heart attack that led to brain bleed, leaving her paralyzed on the left side.  Her determination brought her far beyond predictions from doctors and she made a conscious decision to live the best and happiest life possible.  Our family motto became "Together We Are Strong".  This event opened our family to so many amazing and loving people that cared for Mom and loved her dearly. Our family grew in numbers and especially in love. The first caregiver we hired was Joy Nwokoh. Joy was Catholic as well and mom loved to pray with Joy.  Joy and her family moved from Brooks to Ontario in July 2020 and her family has prayed the rosary with Mom every day since, at 6 pm over FaceTime, until Mom died. Mingly Deato arrived in Mom's home as a live in caregiver in February 2012, her 6-year-old daughter, Nicole, joined the family in February of 2013.  They lived with, cared for, loved and laughed with Mom & Dad.  After Mom went to live in Sunrise Gardens in December 2021, Mingly's yard became Mom's yard to garden in the summer and Mingly remained Mom's best friend while they sewed, painted and had fun with other residents in Sunrise.  Many other caregivers were part of Mom's journey, they also loved Mom (Gramma), cared for her and prayed with her.  Mom was an active member of the Catholic Women's League for over 50 years, her faith radiated in her daily life and shone for all to see.  She was a active member of the Catholic Church in Brooks for 81 years.  Mom was predeceased by her husband Mike, her parents Cliff and Alice Fleury, her brothers Robert Fleury and Laurier Fleury; her brother in law Eric Boswell; Dad's parents Anthony and Stella Orlita, sisters in law Vera, Mary & Isabelle and their spouses; and her great grandson Foster Courtney.  Mom is survived by her sister Theresa Boswell and brothers, Len (Gladys) and Adrien (Laura); her children Sherri (Eric) Strauss – Danielle (Justin) and Jaclynn (Ryan) Smith;  Deb (Michael) Courtney – Jennifer (Brad) Mehalko, Shaun (Kayla) Courtney – Eligh, Becker & Scout; Leonard (Brenda) Orlita – Brittany and Tate; Leanne (Ken) Mandeville – Keith (Jill) Mandeville – Clay, Mike Mandeville, Tracy (Richard) Dupre – Tucker, Nash & Leo; Mom's best friend Mingly Deato and her daughter Nicole; Dear friends Bernice and John Kuefler; and many nieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, 111 W Campus Pl, Calgary, Ab T3B 2R6 or a charity of your choice.  Rosary Prayer Services will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 6:30 PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM from St. Mary's Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 9th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary's Catholic Church.  Rev Eligio Canete Celebrant.  Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery.