KATERYNA (KATHERINE) SERWYLO (SOLARZ)

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KATERYNA (KATHERINE) SERWYLO (nee SOLARZ) December 12, 1922 - December 7, 2014 It is with deep sadness, that the family of Kateryna Serwylo, announce her peaceful but untimely passing at the Seven Oaks Hospital, on December 7, 2014, just five days prior to her 92nd birthday. Beloved mother of Orest (Oksana) and Ray; cherished Baba of Natalia and Olena of Winnipeg, Melania (Mark), Maara, Anton and Peter (Laura) of Melbourne, Australia and Pra Baba of Katie, Jaxon and Lyla of Australia. She also leaves her stepdaughters Ann, Julie and Mary and their families in Ontario. Kateryna was predeceased by her first husband Peter (1970), her second husband Wolodymyr (2003), and her stepson Peter (2000). Kateryna was born on December 12, 1922 in Vidacziv, Yaroslav region of Ukraine to Antonij and Melania Solarz. Here she grew up with three brothers and two sisters. At 19 her life was interrupted by the turmoil of war. When the German army posted lists in the village of those who were to go to Germany as forced labourers in 1941, she showed great courage by taking the place of her older sister, who could not face this fate. She faced the journey to Nurnberg, where she was assigned to labour in a sewing factory. It was in the factory that she met Peter, a tailor from Brody, Ukraine, and they were married on November 21, 1946. Kateryna and Peter immigrated to Winnipeg in November of 1948. In this new land, they started a family, raised their two sons and worked in the sewing industry. Years later, they worked side by side as owners and operators of the former Empress Hotel. After the passing of Peter in 1970, Kateryna started a new career as a dietary aide at St. Joseph's Residence, where she worked until her retirement. In 1976, she married Wolodymyr. Along with him she enjoyed travelling to visit her homeland and their families in Australia, Ontario and Alberta. Summers were spent at her Grand Beach cottage picking wild blueberries and mushrooms, and tending to her flowers and garden. Most of all she enjoyed entertaining and spending time with her grandchildren, family, friends and neighbours. As a devoted member of Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, she was a deeply religious woman whose faith gave her strength and a positive outlook on life, despite the challenges and hardships that came her way. The family would like to extend a special thank you to dear neighbours Nellie, Vera, and John for the care and companionship they offered Kateryna, the nurses and homecare providers for their compassionate care, and Margaret for her pastoral visits. Divine Liturgy and Panahyda will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 12 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Vladimir and Olga, 115 McGregor St. with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat M. Buyachok officiating. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kateryna's memory to Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral Renovation Fund or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2014