OLGA BANIAS

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OLGA BANIAS May 22, 1921 - January 10, 2002 Olga, beloved wife of the late Michael Banias, was blessed with a sudden death at her home on Thursday, January 10, 2002. She was born in the village of Monastyrets in Western Ukraine on May 22, 1921. Olga was the eldest child in the Rogulski family. She leaves to mourn all her brothers and sisters, Omelian (Marta), Maria (Michajlo), Roman (Nina) and Vera (Michajlo) and numerous nieces and nephews, all of Ukraine. In Canada she is survived by her children, Lubomyr (Lesia), Martha, Marika (Ihor), Ivan (Olga) daughter-in-law Gail; grandchildren, Vera (Hugh), Oksana (Adrian), Roman, Michael, Patrick, Natalia; and great-grandchild Nadya. She was predeceased by her husband Michael; first-born son Lubomyr; and parents, Teodore and Kateryna Rogulski. Olga was raised on a farm as a child. She was encouraged to study and was fortunate enough to be sent to the Gymnasia in Strij, Western Ukraine where she graduated as a teacher. In 1939 her whole family was exiled to Siberia and she was left to fend for herself. She married Michael on February 8, 1942 and in 1944, under difficult circumstances, crossed the frontier from Ukraine to Austria and on to Germany during the Second World War. Her infant son was killed and her husband was injured during this journey. Her second son was born in Innsbruck. She lived in Munich, Germany through the balance of the war. In 1949, the family was sponsored to Canada and resided and grew in Winnipeg from that time to the present. Olga and her husband were both very active in the Ukrainian community. She was one of the founding members of the Womens League for the Liberation of Ukraine, a member of Canadian Ukrainian Institute Prosvita and was active in Canadian Ukrainian Congress and Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral. Olga was a devoted wife and mother. She worked alongside her husband in their family business at Arlington Meat Market until their retirement. She was our anchor. She taught us to love both our countries, Canada and Ukraine, to maintain our traditions and to be productive citizens. She loved to embroider, read, garden and to pick mushrooms. Her greatest peace was in her forests. For many years she struggled with heart disease and diabetes. The family would like to thank her many caregivers, Dr. Buchok, Dr. A.U. Khan, Dr. N. Hechtenthal, Dr. Simonson, her V.O.N. nurses, especially Emily Dmytryshen, her home care workers, neighbours and Meals on Wheels delivery people who all brightened her days. To the great staff at Seven Oaks Hospital, our profound thanks. Panahyda will be sung 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 14 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 15, also at the Cathedral. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shevchenko Foundation or to the Diabetes Association of Canada. Be at peace Mamo. VICHNAYA PAMYAT CHRYSTOS RAZHDAYETSYA KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2002