In Memory of Maria and Alexander Tron

From the family of Maria and Alexander Tron:

Alexander and Maria Tron raised their four children in Lethbridge, Alberta, after immigrating to Canada to start a new life. Dad was born in Ukraine in 1931 and survived the Holodomor, a famine that killed millions of Ukrainians due to starvation. His family fled Ukraine during World War II, eventually settling in Lethbridge in 1948, where he met and married Maria Lasar. Together, they worked to ensure they and their children had a better life. Dad worked as a Research Technician at the Lethbridge Research Station until his retirement in 1992. Dad was a hard-working man and a dedicated father. In addition to dad’s day job, he also took on building or maintaining rental properties for extra income. Even after a long day’s work, he would come home and roll up his sleeves to get to work on the rental properties. He spent countless hours measuring, cutting, hammering, and assembling these homes. His unwavering commitment, determination and hard work paid off, providing his family with a strong foundation for their future.

Mom was born in Ukraine in 1927 and she too, survived the Holodomor. She and her family fled their home during World War II, and eventually immigrated to Canada, settling in Lethbridge, and marrying dad. Mom lived her life with joy, despite her hardships as a child. She was always grateful for her life in Canada, never taking it for granted. She had a sharp wit with a mischievous smile that made those around her laugh out loud. She had an extraordinary mind, astonishing others with how she could do complex math without using a calculator (she also encouraged her children to do the same! Many shopping trips were delayed as one of her young children tried to figure out a percentage discount on a wanted purchase). She was an accomplished cook and an even better baker. And her garden, both the vegetables and flowers, were the envy of her neighbours. Her green thumb was legendary; she was renowned for growing plants from a single stem or seed.

Mom and dad worked hard and were devoted parents who raised their children with a strong emphasis on the importance of education, especially higher education, as they believed it was essential in building a better life.

Mom and dad took great pride in being Canadian citizens, but their love for Lethbridge ran even deeper. In honour of their memory, a scholarship has been established at the University of Lethbridge to provide others with the same encouragement that they gave to their own children – to pursue academic excellence as a means of achieving a better life. It is our hope that this scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to their legacy and inspire future generations to work hard and achieve their goals, just as mom and dad did.