KATARYNA WAPLAK (ZYLA)

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KATARYNA WAPLAK (nee ZYLA) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing into eternal rest our dearest Mother and Babcha on December 11, 2011. Arrangements pending. Further obituary to follow. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

KATARYNA WAPLAK (nee ZYLA) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing into eternal rest our dearest Mother and Babcha on December 11, 2011. Kataryna was born on April 29, 1919 in Stariy Dykiw, povit Lubachiw, Western Ukraine. Kataryna faced many challenges and hardships throughout her life. At the age of seven, her father passed away, and being the older of two daughters she had to help with chores. In her twenties, she witnessed first hand the injustices that the Ukrainian people suffered and as a result she joined UPA (The Ukrainian Insurgent Army). In 1947 her hardship continued as she was one of the 150,000 Ukrainians to be forcibly deported from her ancestral lands to the former German occupied territories of North-Western Poland. The Polish government instituted a policy named Akcja Visla which was a form of ethnic cleansing. Suspected of her involvement in UPA, she was arrested and sentenced to 10 years to a Polish concentration camp, and was released 5 years later, when amnesty was declared. In 1954 Kataryna met Stefan Waplak and after a short courtship they married. They made their home in Biliy Bir, Poland. It was difficult to raise a family under the communist regime, and thanks to the sponsorship of her sister Parania and brother-in-law Andriy, the family immigrated to Canada in December 1963. Kataryna worked in the garment industry as a seamstress until her retirement. She was extremely talented and could sew anything using only a picture and measurements. Her other talents included embroidery, cooking and gardening. Kataryna was active in the Ukrainian community. She was a member of Institute Prosvita, Dumka Choir, and Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral. Mom was a devout Christian. She was very caring, giving and hard working. She was a devoted wife, mother, and babcha who always put her family ahead of herself. Kataryna loved Canada and instilled in her children to respect all cultures but also to never forget their own Ukrainian heritage. Left to cherish her memory are, daughter Irene Nazarevich (Julian), son Bohdan (Irene), three beloved granddaughters Tania, Andrijka, Ivanka; sister Parania and brother-in-law Andriy Wenger; their children Helen, Ihor (Laurie), and Marusia (Derek); great nephew Fr. Josef Zyla and family of Toronto, as well as many nieces and nephews in Ukraine, France, and Poland. Kataryna was predeceased by her husband Stefan; brothers Stefan, Oleksa and Volodymyr. In the last five years our mother was a resident of Holy Family Home. We are extremely grateful to all the staff, especially St. John's ward who made our Mother feel like she was part of a larger family. Thank you also to the Pastoral Care workers both at Holy Family and Seven Oaks Hospital. Mom will be missed by all who knew her. Panachyda (prayers) will be sung 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 15, (tonight) at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral , 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 16 also at the Cathedral, with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, 235 McGregor St. or charity of your choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2011