Bella Slator

Bella Slator passed peacefully in her sleep on

She was born Wasylina (Bella) Boychuk May 17, 1927 in Drobot Saskatchewan.  She was the daughter of Grigorij Boychuk and Domka Lungul who moved to Splitrock Ontario, north of Stratton in the mid-1930s.  

Bella is survived by her sons Ryan (Joan) in Thunder Bay, Allan (Karen) in Laguna Niguel California, David in Tofino British Columbia, and Robert (Josee) in Burlington, plus two granddaughters, Lynsey (Sean) and Kassandra (Spencer), one grandson Richard, as well as two great grandchildren, Nathaniel and Atia.

She is predeceased by her son John LeBlanc June 21, 1980, her first husband Carl LeBlanc February 21, 1997 and her second husband Murray Slator May 11, 1996.  Along with Murray she maintained a beautiful house in Texas where she would spend the winter months avoiding the cold and snow we normally experience in the north.

She worked as a cook at Crossroads Rehabilitation, and once she retired, volunteered as a delivery person for Meals on Wheels.  She always felt the need to help the less fortunate.  In the 60’s, she appeared on television’s “Concentration” (with Hugh Downs as host) and loved every second of her time in New York.  An avid Scrabble

player, she participated in tournaments in both California and locally.  She loved to travel with Murray to her Texas home every winter.  On most weekends she would go to garage sales to find that "special deal".  She was a big fan of Bridge and played it with several friends at Sister Leila Greco Apartments where she was the custodian of the

library.  One of her favourite activities was going to Mission Island to see the wildlife as well as hand feeding the deer.  She published two popular cook books.

Family was always important to her.  She left a huge void in our lives that family and friends will slowly fill with love and fond memories.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring/early summer.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Crossroads Centre, 500 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 2H1.