OLGA HANUTA (SZYMANSKI)

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OLGA HANUTA
(nee SZYMANSKI)
May 18, 1931 - April 23, 2020

Olga was born in the village of Zmijoviskach, Poland. During the war years, Olga and her family endured many struggles as the Ukraine/Poland border changed. This included being displaced from their home and losing their farm. Mom worked hard in her youth helping establish their new farm and taking caring of cows and chickens after relocation. One of her favourite jobs as a youth was replanting trees in forested areas around her village. Mom always liked to work outdoors and with her hands.
Mom immigrated to Canada in 1962 in search of a better life. She continued to work hard in Canada in a factory job. Olga married Nicholas Hanuta in 1963 and had two children, Irene and Roman. Mom stayed at home and looked after the children and house. She re-entered the workforce again when Irene and Roman were young teenagers. Again, she worked hard in a paper factory job, at the same place as her husband, Nick. When they had the same shifts, they enjoyed commuting together.
Mom loved working outside in her flower and vegetable gardens, which she commented kept getting smaller and smaller as she grew older. This explains why her favourite colour was green and she had so many outfits with floral prints. Mom also loved potatoes, especially French fries. There could be loads of other food on the table, but she always went for seconds and thirds of potato dishes. She liked playing dominoes and was quite the competitor. Thank you, cousin Linda, for introducing her to the game. I spent many hours playing with her and she won most of the time! And, thank you Linda and Jesse for visiting with my Mom over the last two years and bringing her favourite food - French Fries! Also thanks to cousins, Donna and Christine and Uncle Steve for always remembering mom, especially at Christmas.
This past winter, Mom was still shoveling snow even though John or I were coming over to do the work. She always said that a path needed to be made so we could reach the front door.
Sadly, in March, Mom was diagnosed with incurable cancer. I was able to take care of her at home until she suddenly collapsed and could not get up. Her stay in the hospital was brief so she did not suffer long. Mom deteriorated very quickly and passed peacefully with me beside her. Mom was such a sturdy and proud woman and she hated becoming so frail and feeble and relying on others. It is sad that she could not have stayed in her house because the house and yard were her sanctuary.
Olga lost her husband Nick in 1991, and tragically lost her son Roman in 2018. She never wanted to accept Roman was gone and for the longest time left a light on for him and set a place for him at the dinner table. Olga was predeceased by her parents and two sisters in Poland, and her sister Maria Zbyr in Winnipeg. Olga is survived by daughter Irene (John Teillet); her brother Steve Szymanski; nieces, Donna and Christine Szymanski and Linda Zbyr Bretecher, and their families.
Thank you to the first responders who tenderly and professionally helped my Mom. Thank you to the nurses and care givers at Seven Oaks Hospital on the third floor, Unit 1.

I truly wish mom is at peace and happy
to be reunited in Heaven with her
husband Nick and son Roman.

Vichnaya Pamyat'

A private family funeral was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, with Rev Fr. Volodymyr Bashutsky presiding.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 02, 2020