SISTER DEMETRIUS

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SISTER DEMETRIUS, S.S.M.I. (ANASTASIA SENIUK) Sister Demetrius passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital, Vegreville, AB on Saturday, March 12, 2005. She was born on September 28, 1918 in Ethelbert, MB to parents, Michael and Apolonia (Wolochatiuk). She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Katherine and Mary (Hrushka); her brothers, John, Michael, Peter and William; her nephews, Michael and Morris Hrushka. She is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Seniuk; her nieces, Vicky Adams and Nadia Kitzman; her nephews, Edward, Andrew and Ted Seniuk, Wildred and Michael Seniuk, Brother Peter Seniuk, John Bill and Sylvester Hrushka; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Prayers were said on March 16 at St. Joseph's Home Chapel, Mundare, AB. Funeral service and Divine Liturgy was celebrated on March 17 at St. Joseph's Chapel officiated by Rev. W. Hupalo and Basilian Fathers. Interment at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church cemetery in Mundare. Sister Demetrius received her early education in her home town of Ethelbert. She entered the religious community of Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate in Mundare in 1940 and celebrated her 50th Jubilee in 1990 at Ethelbert and her 60th in 2000 in Dauphin, MB. As a Sister Servant, she continued her studies with courses in Ukrainian language and religion. In her 64 years of service to the church and the Ukrainian communities in Canada, New York and in England, Sister did mission work in Saskatchewan for various periods from 1947 to 1998. She was recognized for her exemplary dedication by the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Saskatchewan with an honorary membership. The city of Saskatoon acclaimed her outstanding service to the community with a Century Certificate Award in 1983. In 1997, the Saskatchewan Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Congress presented her with a Nation Builders Award in recognition of her service. Sister concluded her service in pastoral care in Dauphin until her failing health prevented her from continuing. Sister Demetrius epitomized in her labour and commitment, the essence of the contributions made to the development of Canada by the community of Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate. A forty day memorial will be held at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1001 Grant Ave. on Friday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m. with Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Mark Gnutel.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2005