NADIA MELNYK

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NADIA MELNYK On January 3, 2008, Nadia Melnyk of Winnipeg, Manitoba, went home to be with Jesus. At the time of her death, she had been visiting her daughter in Benito. Nadia was born in Koczan Gorodok, Poland (Belaruss), on November 24, 1926 to Peter and Maria Yakubowich. She was the second oldest of five children. Her life was a very difficult one. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the family was taken to Germany to work in the labour camps. It was here, several years later, that she met a handsome young preacher, Elias Melnyk, and they were married in 1946. It was also at this time that she accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour, and committed her life to Him. Being displaced from their own countries after the war, they accepted an offer to emigrate to Canada. The affidavit was signed by Max Zbirun of Arran, Saskatchewan. In July 1949, they took a leap of faith and made the long journey to their new life, with the train ride finally ending at the Benito station. They were adopted by the Russian-Ukrainian Evangelical Church in Benito, where they served for many years. The church people became extended family and these bonds of friendship lasted for the rest of her life. The church was a very important part of her life, even after moving to Winnipeg in 1966. Nadia worked in the sewing industry and also as a cook at St. Andrews College, and later at CN, but her main career was homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved gardening especially flowers. She loved knitting brightly coloured mittens and sweaters for her children and grandchildren. She loved music, and she loved to sing. She loved to cook and entertain and was a gracious hostess. She loved God. She loved her church. She loved her family. She loved her friends especially the ones she made in Benito many years ago. She always considered Benito her home. She has finally come home. Nadia is survied by her five children, Lydia (Alex) McKinnon, Nick (Esther) Melnyk, Ruth (Jeff) Riesen, Mary (Leslie) Matyas, and Anne Melnyk. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Zagorski, and her brother, Adam (Anita) Yakubowich; two nieces, Rita and Terry Zagorski and five nephews, Chester and John Zagorski, and Tom, Tim and Terry Yakubowich. She was blessed with ten grandchildren, Cheryl, Carrie, and Neal McKinnon, Timothy, Nicole, and Aimée Melnyk, Gwen (Borden) Smid, Eric, Sean, and Sara Matyas. She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Mary Yakubowich, her husband, Elias Melnyk, her sisters, Eva and Kathy, her son-in-law Alex McKinnon, niece Tanya Philipova, and nephew Michael Zagorski. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Living Word Church, Benito, Manitoba with Dr. Reverend Steve Skoworodko officiating. The interment will follow in the Benito Cemetery. A memorial service for Nadia will be held in Winnipeg on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Rowandale Baptist Church, 162 Rowandale Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Evangelical Mission to Ukraine K.A.S.H.A. Fund (Kornin Ambulance Service Humanitarian Aid), 14011 83rd Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5E 2X6. The family extends their sincere thanks to the Benito First Response team, and the paramedics and emergency staff at the Swan Valley Health Centre. Paull Funeral Home and Crematorium was honoured to have served the Family. 506 2nd Street North, Swan River, 204-734-4556

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2008