KATERYNA NYTEPCHUK (USTIANOWSKA)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KATERYNA NYTEPCHUK (nee USTIANOWSKA) December 7, 1924 - January 29, 2005 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Kateryna on January 29, 2005 at the Health Sciences Centre. Kateryna leaves to mourn her loving husband of 57 years, Andrew; sons, Andy (Geraldine) and George (Deborah); grandchildren, Mark (Claudia) and Bryan; three brothers and one sister of the Ukraine; cousin Mike (Tekla) Ustianowski and numerous friends. She was predeceased by her parents and one sister. Mom was born in Western Ukraine in the village of Stezhnitsya in Lemkivshchyna, the eldest of six children. As first born, she worked in all aspects of the farm life with the men in the fields but also as the eldest, at age 18, was the one taken away to Germany to work in the Nazi labour camps during the war; one of many of her generation. She survived by her wits and humour; procuring, scrounging and smuggling extra food and somehow managed to sing, dance and perform with others in camp productions making the best of trying situations. After Allied Liberation, she met Dad in a British controlled camp, was married in 1948 in a dress fabricated out of parachute silk and together, chose to immigrated to Canada in 1949 as refugees, foreseeing an oppressed life under Soviet rule. Life in Canada began on a farm in Ile Des Chenes but soon moved into Winnipeg, where she staged a brief sit-in protest until the authorities found her employment; she was feisty, strong-willed and never wanted a government handout. She worked as a maid for the McIntyre family in River Heights to whom she was always indebted. In addition to learning many home-making skills (she could always make a mean perogy-cabbage roll-Yorkshire pudding combo) what she said she most appreciated learning while in Dr. and Mrs. McIntyre's service were the qualities of charity to the less fortunate, community volunteerism, duty and citizenship to her new country. They practiced tolerance of others' beliefs before anyone thought of giving that behaviour a name. It was just the right thing to do . Her family and faith were the most important things in her life. Although academically uneducated, she was wise enough to know the value of education in the future of her sons and grandsons and created an atmosphere that nurtured education and the appreciation of culture. She was proud of all their achievements and accomplishments. She lent her own robust, chesty soprano voice to choirs and to her beloved church which played such a central role in her life. Saying Grace at her own dinner table was off-the-cuff, sincere and down-right poetic. She absolutely loved her time with the ladies of the church in the kitchen or at Camp Veselka and was part of the stalwart central crew that were so dedicated for so many years. What she wouldn't have given to make one more perogy! She was proud to be a member of the Lesya Ukrainka branch of the Ukrainian Women's Association for 40 years. She was a natural, self-taught artist of Korvai making (decorative Ukrainian wedding bread) and her work sits in dozens of couples' homes, has won an award at the Dauphin Festival and has adorned post cards. Her home was the unofficial drop-in centre and she could always whip up and prepare a full course meal any time of the day. No one ever left without a care package. Her family knows that her story is just one of many similar stories of her contemporaries but we cannot help but feel that a small page of history has turned and marks the end of an era. We will miss her but we will never forget her. Vichnaya Pamyat! The family would like to thank the staff of H4 and D5 at Health Sciences Centre for all their care and compassion. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 1175 Main St. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Cathedral. Interment to follow in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kateryna's memory to the Holy Trinity Cathedral or to the Humane Society. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 31, 2005