IRENE NIKULIN (GABA)

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IRENE NIKULIN (nee GABA) It is with a great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our precious mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, at the Seven Oaks hospital on September 23, 2007. Irene is lovingly remembered by her two grandsons, Mykola and Andriy (Olena); her daughter-in-law Sofia; her great-grandson Nazar; her niece Mary (Sam) Kozelko and family, and numerous relatives in Ukraine. She was predeceased by her parents, Petro and Anna Gaba; sister Helen; her first husband Petro Surmai, her second husband Mykola Nikulin and her beloved son Vasil. Irene was born on January 25, 1920 in Kuty, Western Ukraine. She married Petro Surmai in 1939. He died during the Soviet occupation, leaving Irene widowed with the responsibility of having to raise their two year old son Vasil. In 1968, while visiting her family in Winnipeg, she met her second husband, Mykola Nikulin, whom she wed in 1969.They took numerous trips together to visit her family in Ukraine. It was with great joy that in 1988, Irene and Mykola were able to start the reunification of her family by sponsoring the immigration of her son and his family to Winnipeg. In 1997, her dream was completed with the arrival of her second grandson Andriy and his family. Irene loved to cook and bake. There was always a place at her table and in her heart for all who came to visit. Her favourite times were spent around the garden and socializing with neighbours in the summer. She was a warm, good-hearted woman who always put her family first. A life filled with numerous hardships didn't diminish Irene's enduring spirit. She will be remembered by her family, relatives and neighbours as - always loving, always caring and always giving. The family would like to kindly thank Dr. B. Biala and the fine staff of Seven Oaks Hospital, 5th floor for their superior care of Irene during her last weeks of life. Panakhyda will be held 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 25 at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 26 at Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 965 Boyd Ave with Fr. V. Bashutskyy officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. VICHNAYA PAMYAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2007