Courtesy Staff Writers – Mercy College
Mercy College’s former library officer Orysia Ford (née Karlicki) died peacefully on 8 June 2020 at the age of 53.
A private Mass for Mrs Ford was held at the Ukraine Catholic Church in Maylands on 16 June, followed by a cremation service at Karrakatta Cemetery. Both services were livestreamed because of social distancing measures.
A dedicated wife to Paul, mother to two sons Damon and Caleb, and the latest addition, Pepe, a Brittany Spaniel.
Orysia began working at Mercy College in July 2012 as a library officer. Her referees spoke highly of her with descriptions such as “working over and beyond”, “incredibly loyal”, and “a beautiful manner with students”.
She recently helped with a makeover at the John Forrest Secondary College library, and Mercy College was set to do something similar. Above all else, Orysia presented as a very genuine person.
Orysia did help with the big move; she proved to be very hard-working. There was no task too big or too small for her. She walked promptly into work, keen to be here and was always looking for ways to improve library services and her own work practice.
Alongside another colleague, Orysia was the driving force behind the money raised in the library for the charity groups Mercy College supports; sponsoring students in Cambodia and supporting Sister Pauline in India, in particular.
She was also responsible for the initiative which saw milk and Sipahh straws served to students on a Thursday afternoon, which has exploded in popularity.
Orysia loved the outdoors and always threw open the doors of the library to let the fresh air in. She was Mercy College’s resident recyclables expert and an environmentalist at heart.
Her weekends always centred around her family and included outings to watch her sons on their motocross bikes or to walk the dog, often in the bush or along the river. She spoke frequently about her boys with such love and devotion and seemed truly happy when she was cooking up a storm for the whole family.
Mercy College will miss Orysia in its workplace. Her delightful sense of humour, whereby she could hardly relate a story because she was laughing about it too much to get it out. She always treated Mercy College students with patience, dignity, compassion and kindness.
She connected with many staff members in her quiet, unassuming way. Indeed, a very genuine and loving person. Orysia is a Ukrainian name derived from words meaning “peace, calm”.