Doris Kule (1921-2020)

16 March 2020

Doris was born on a farm near Boian, Alberta to Usten and Maria Radesh, who immigrated to Canada from the village of Shubranets near Chernivtsi in what is now Western Ukraine. Upon completing high school in nearby Willingdon, Doris trained as a teacher at the University of Alberta and went on to first teach in Derwent and Shalka. In 1943, Doris met Peter Kule (Kuleba) who she later married. Doris then pursued a career teaching grades two and three in Beverly School which she continued for 34 years until retirement in 1974. In 1977, the Edmonton Public School Board recognized Doris for her long service, and the Alberta Teacher's Association awarded Doris with a lifetime membership for the role she played in the growth of Alberta and the educational development of this province.

The Kules were active members in the Ukrainian community. They attended St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Edmonton and participated in many church related organizations. Doris was active in the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada. She had fond memories of various projects, particularly working together with other members using her sewing and needlework skills to create complete sets of church linens and 20 altar boys' dalmatics. For her steadfast service to the church, Pope John Paul II conferred upon Doris the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pontiff).

Doris's warmth and gentle spirit was felt far into the community. In her retirement, together with her husband Peter, Doris turned her attention to philanthropic activities, with particular support directed to education and Ukrainian studies in Canada and abroad. They made large donations to Ukrainian folklore studies at the University of Alberta in 2003, 2006, and 2007, prompting the Ukrainian Folklore Centre to be renamed the Peter and Doris Kule Centre for Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore, or Kule Folklore Centre for short. In 2005, the Kules became the first joint recipients of honorary doctorates from the University of Alberta.

Doris's legacy lives on in the hearts and memories of the many students she taught as well as the graduate students who completed their studies supported by the Kule Folklore Centre.

We extend our condolences to Doris's husband Peter, family, and friends.

May her memory be eternal - Вічная пам'ять!