IRENE ALEXANDRA STOYKEWYCH (SALAK)

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IRENE ALEXANDRA STOYKEWYCH (nee SALAK) After a courageous battle with cancer on May 21, 2002 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg. Irene was born on October 10, 1928 in Chodoriw, Ukraine. Her joy filled youth and promising musical studies were interrupted by the onset of war, at the conclusion of which she found refuge along with the other members of her family in the displaced persons camp. She emigrated as a young woman to Canada in 1948 and succeeded in arranging for her parents and disabled brother to join her two years later. Her father Olexanders death within months of his arrival signalled the commencement of the decades of commitment of energy to the care for her family that characterized the whole of her adult life. Shortly upon her arrival to Canada, Irene met and married Leo Stoykewych, with whom she shared a rich family life until his death in January 1998. They had two sons, Andrew, of Winnipeg, and Roman, who now lives in Toronto, whom mourn the passing of their mother. The familys life was centred in Winnipegs Ukrainian community and was imbued with its spiritual and cultural traditions that Irene strived her whole life to preserve. Irene was a member of the parish of Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, and was a member of the O. Koshetz Choir. She was employed for many years at the Carpathia Credit Union and, later, at the bookstore of the Trident Press. Andrew and Roman are joined in their grief by their spouses Sheryl and Kris. Andrew and Sheryls children, Adam, Peter and Paul will dearly miss their "Baba." Irene also leaves to mourn cousin Roma Martynowych; nephew Orest; niece Tania and her husband Bill; along with many friends throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Irenes family wishes to express their special thanks to Dr. Peter Kirk and the entire Palliative Care Program at Riverview Health Centre, as well as the staff and residents at Portsmouth Retirement Residence for the kindness they showed during her illness. Prayers will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St. Divine liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25 at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, Children of Chernobyl Fund, 235 McGregor St., Winnipeg, MB R2W 4W5 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrooke St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2002