STEFANIA DIDUR (HAVRILENKO)

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STEFANIA DIDUR

(HAVRILENKO) 

January 7, 1928 – March 30, 2023

Stefania Didur passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 30, 2023 at Misericordia Health Centre, at the age of 95 years.
She was predeceased by her parents: John and Anna Wassylyk; former husband, Alex Havrilenko; son, Christopher Rhodes (Wally Havrilenko) and husband, Tom Didur.
Stefania is survived by her children: Roger Havrilenko (Bonita), Olha Hnatyshyn (Greg), Tony Havrilenko (Lori). Grandchildren: Cindy Northey (Matt), Melanie Hnatyshyn (Clark), Matthew Havrilenko (Colleen), Natasha Havrilenko (Scott), Steffani Havrilenko (Desi), Tori Havrilenko and eight great-grandchildren.
Stefania was born in Buczacz, Ukraine on January 7, 1928. As a young child, she and her parents suffered poverty and starvation during the Russian, man made famine known as Holodomor. During the Second World War, Mom was a teenager when Germany invaded Ukraine. The Germans forced her and her parents out of their homeland to work as laborers in France.
During her five years in France, she met her husband, Alex and had two sons, Roger and Wally. Mom and Dad sought a better life for their family, so in 1953, with a suitcase in hand, they immigrated to Canada. After settling in Winnipeg, they welcomed daughter, Olha and another son, Tony.
Mom didn't want her children to go through the hardships she did in her early years and constantly reminded us of the benefits and importance of hard work, an education, resilience and integrity.
Stefania was an amazing cook and was at her happiest when her home was filled with family. She enjoyed creating traditional Ukrainian meals and celebrating all holidays and special occasions. Mom and Tom enjoyed their winter trips to Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba and their favourite, Hawaii.
Stefania was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage and ensured her children would experience it, too by attending Ukrainian liturgy, catechism, language and dance classes. Stefania's mother, Anna did psychic readings using Russian cards. Anna passed the talent onto her daughter, Stefania who in turn passed it onto her daughter, Olha. The active intuition gene was inherited through three generations. They all worked out of their homes as well as at numerous festivals.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 14th, at 11:00 AM at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Officiant for the service will be Fr. Dmytro Dnistrian, CSsR. The cantor will be Ron Lukie. Interment will follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main St., West St. Paul.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal - Canada. www.cufoundation.ca

VICHNAYA PAM’YAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 08, 2023