IRYNA MARIA HNATIW

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IRYNA MARIA HNATIW 1921 -2014 On the beautiful sunny evening of May 30, 2014, after a brief illness, Iryna Hnatiw died peacefully at the age of ninety-three with her family by her side. Iryna will be dearly missed by her daughters, Chrystya and Marta (Iyvan); her beloved grandsons, Ihor and Andriy Michalchyshyn; as well as by her dear sister, Lydia Mudryj; her sister-in-law, Sofia Ilnyckyj; along with her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in the Ilnyckyj and Mudryj families. Her memory will also be cherished by her extended family in Ukraine, England and the United States. Iryna was predeceased by her husband Mykola Hnatiw; her father Mykhajlo; her mother Evhenia; her brother Volodymyr Ilnyckyj; her brother-in-law Osyp Mudryj; niece Vera Ilnyckyj and grand-niece Nadia Ilnyckyj. Iryna was born in the town of Yasin', Ivano Frankivsk oblast of Ukraine on February 6, 1921. She was the daughter of Mykhajlo Ilnyckyj, a forest ranger (lisnychyj), and Evhenia Rosnecka, a school teacher. Due to the restrictive political circumstances in Ukraine, Iryna and her siblings spent their childhood in different towns across Ukraine and Poland. Growing up, she attended school in Sambir, Lviv and later she began university studies in pharmacy in Vienna, Austria. In 1942 Iryna married Mykola Hnatiw. In 1944, like so many others, Mykola and Iryna fled their homeland while Iryna was pregnant with her first daughter. Daughter Chrystya was born in Secovce, Slovakia, and the young family survived thanks to the heartfelt generosity of the Tkac family. Iryna's courage and determination carried her family onward through the difficult journey to the displaced persons camps in Germany. In 1949 thanks to the sponsorship of a Ukrainian farmer in Saskatchewan, the Hnatiw family was able to immigrate to Canada. In Winnipeg they were reunited with Iryna's sister Lydia and her husband Osyp and later her brother Volodymyr and his wife Sofia. Daughter Marta was born in Winnipeg. In 1959, through the efforts of the Canadian Red Cross, the Ilnyckyj children were reunited with their mother, Evhenia. Iryna worked hard at a variety of jobs to support her family in all aspects of their lives. She was involved in the establishment of the first Ukrainian daycare in Winnipeg and supported community organizations such as Plast, the Ukrainian Reading Association and the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services. She was a member of St. Volodymyr & Olha Cathedral from 1949. For the past twelve years Iryna lived at the St. Mary the Protectress Villa, where she enjoyed the company of many dear friends. Iryna was a modest and selfless person who valued family and friends above all. She was absolutely devoted to her grandsons and supported them in everything they did. She loved to have people stop by for tea and conversation, to catch up on the latest news in everyone's lives. Throughout their 55 years of marriage, Iryna and Mykola developed a close network of friends with whom they shared many happy moments. Since the beginning of the Maidan Revolution in Kyiv, she closely followed events in Ukraine, and prayed for the flourishing of democracy in her homeland. The family extends its gratitude to Dr. Koczanski, her physician, and to the many compassionate medical staff at Seven Oaks Hospital on the 5th floor, in Units 1 and 3. We thank God for giving us a wonderful Mama and Baba. "Mamko", we ache for one more look, one more smile, to let us thank you for all your love. Panakhyda prayers will be sung 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha, 115 McGregor Street, officiated by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Buyachok. A reception for friends and family will follow in the parish hall. A private funeral service for family members will be held the following day. Pallbearers will be Ihor, Andriy and Iyvan Michalchyshyn, Jurij and Josyf Mudryj, Andriy and Oleh Ilnyckyj and Paul Reisdorf. Flowers gratefully declined. In Iryna's memory, donations may be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services or to a charity of your choice. Vichnaya Pamyat' KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 03, 2014