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MARIKA BANIAS
Born: Oct 12, 1952
Date of Passing: Jan 16, 2023
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MARIKA BANIAS
October 12, 1952 - January 16, 2023
Marika Banias, beloved wife of Ihor Michalishyn, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease on January 16, 2023.
She is survived by her husband, Ihor, their children, Patrick and Natalka (Andrij), her brothers Lubomyr and Ivan (Olga), her sister Martha, sisters-in-law, Gail, Kathy (Albert) and Mary-Anne (David), and her most recent pride-and-joy, her granddaughter Annika. Add to that all of her nieces and nephews: Vera, Oksana, and Roman, Michael, Marta, Michael and Lara, and all of their partners and children; Mama's love for family had no end, and she treated everybody like family.
Marika was born in Winnipeg to Michael and Olga Banias. She was raised in the North End, first on Polson and then Atlantic Avenue, and she worked at the family business, Arlington Meat Market. Marika became a teacher settling into Springfield Heights Elementary where she would teach up to three grades in the same year. Her ability to remember students' names and faces, decades after they left her classroom, was astounding.
Marika opened her heart and home to everybody. She would instruct piano and pysanka lessons to any friends who showed an interest. There would always be a buffet of food ready; if you walked through the door, be prepared to take a plate. Nobody ever went home hungry (or without leftovers). Mama was generous and selfless, and she always taught us to be kind to others.
Marika was very active in the Ukrainian community. She was a long-time member-turned-Podruha at CYM, and spent countless hours cooking, cleaning, and helping organize events at Prosvita and Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral. When Marika had time off, her favourite place was in the forest, foraging for mushrooms and picking blueberries. Driving up to Ukrainian Park, pulling over and filling a few pails for suppertime at The Bus was a normal occurrence. Her knowledge of fungi was encyclopedic, and she passed that knowledge along to her nieces and foraging friends. She would get competitive about it, and the family freezer was always filled with dehydrated lisichky, hribi, and pidpenky for the 'off season'.
Marika retired from teaching after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It may have slowed her down, but she never wavered. She was a caring wife to Ihor until the end, and she was always in touch with her children, offering whatever help she could. She would still cook enough food for an army, even though it was just the two of them at home. And if anybody offered to take her mushroom picking, she would find the strength to go to her happy place.
Divine Liturgy will be followed immediately by the Panakhyda will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the war efforts in Ukraine through United24 or The Canada-Ukraine Foundation.
We'll love you forever, we'll like you for always, and as long as we're living, our mama you'll be.
Vichnaya Pamyat.
KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL
(204) 956 - 2193
Condolences may be sent to
www.korbanchapel.com
Publish Date: Jan 24, 2023
MARIKA BANIAS
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marika Banias on January 16, 2023.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vlad and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor Street.
A longer obituary will follow.
KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL
(204) 956 - 2193
Condolences may be sent to
www.korbanchapel.com
Publish Date: Jan 21, 2023
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2023, Jan 24, 2023
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Marika, Ihor. I hope time will ease the pain you feel today and remembrances will bring smiles back to you and your family.. - Posted by: Judy Rempel (former colleague of Ihor) on: Feb 06, 2023
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We have fond memories of Mrs. Banias, as our son’s multi-age teacher, at Springfield Heights. She gave him such a great start to his education, and he thrived, under her creative and caring leadership. We still have several of the projects the class created together. We will always be grateful that our son, Kristaps, had her as a teacher in early years. Our condolences to your family. - Posted by: Melinda and Andris Balodis (Former student’s parents) on: Feb 05, 2023
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Ihor, Patrick & Natalka...I am sorry for your loss and ask God to grant your dearly departed wife and mother eternal life in His Heavenly Home. May fond memories give you comfort. With sincerest sympathy, Rosemarie Todaschuk - Posted by: Rosemarie Todaschuk (friends) on: Feb 04, 2023
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We give our sincere condolences to Marika's family, friends and all whom she held close to her heart. May you take comfort in all the wonderful memories that you have shared with her. God holds her in his loving arms now and for all eternity. - Posted by: Herb & Louise Williams ( We dearly respected her and her genuine kindness to all.) on: Jan 25, 2023
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Ihor and family, I am so saddened and sorry to hear of Marina’s passing. We all taught together at Springfield Heights and I thought of Marina as more than a colleague, she was a friend. My heart goes out to you and your family. Find peace knowing she’s in the arms of the angels. - Posted by: Shirlee Zest (Friend) on: Jan 25, 2023
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Mrs. Banias taught me Ukrainian at Springfield Heights about 40 years ago and even though many years have passed, I have always remembered her as a very caring teacher so it did not surprise me when I read her memorial and brought a smile to my face hearing that she continued on with that same caring until the end. I am very sorry for your loss but take comfort in the fact that you all have such good memories of time spent with her. Vichnaya Pamyat! - Posted by: Steve Prociuk (Former student) on: Jan 25, 2023
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So sad to hear of Marika's passing. Her and Ihor were members of our dinner club. Marika's smile and engaging nature always warmed our meals more than the wonderful food she prepared. Marika always was so kind thoughtful and went out of her way to make you feel welcome. - Posted by: Randy Stoyko (Friend) on: Jan 24, 2023
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Dear Ihor, Patrick and Natalka: We were very saddened to hear of Marika's passing. She was a very thoughtful and kind long-time neighbour and friend. She will be missed. - Posted by: Jack and Mary Hill (Friends and Neighbours) on: Jan 24, 2023
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I was very saddened to hear of Marika's passing. She was my late mother's goddaughter. Although I have lived in Vancouver for the past 50 years, I remember Marika fondly as a young child. My mother, also a Marika, would keep me up to date with the Banias family news while she lived in Winnipeg. My condolences to the entire Banias clan. Vichnaya pamiat! - Posted by: Siania Richards (Jarko) (family friend) on: Jan 22, 2023
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