ANNA MANDZIJ

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ANNA MANDZIJ On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, just one month after her 88th birthday, Anna Smereka Mandzij's soul went to join her husband, her family and friends who left before her, and her Lord in Heaven. It was Ukrainian Christmas Eve and she arrived in style for the Cviat Vechir supper. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Avenue. Interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery, 4355 Main St., West St. Paul. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193
Publish Date: Jan 13, 2015

ANNA MANDZIJ On Tuesday, January 6, 2015, just one month after her 88th birthday, Anna Smereka Mandzij's soul went to join her husband, her family and friends who left before her, and her Lord in Heaven. It was Ukrainian Christmas Eve and she arrived in style for the Cviat Vechir supper. She will be extremely missed and always remembered by her only daughter Mary Hagman; son-in-law Grant Hagman; grandchildren, John Hagman and Ashley Falconer; and great-grandchildren, Falicity, Cassidy, Teia and Dominic; as well as good lifelong friends, Dmytro and Vasylyna Bosak and Christine Jefimchuk. Anna was born the first child of Michael and Ahafia Smereka in the town of Remezivchi, Zolochivskoho Povity, Ukraine. She happily tended cows, ran in the fields, went to school and watched over siblings Mila and Vasyl. At the age of 16, her peaceful existence ended when the Germans came and took her from her home to work in their camps. There she was put into a seamstress position and taught the trade, a skill and talent she never lost. Mom had a very positive outlook, and an extremely strong faith that God would always look after her and her family. This faith helped her overcome illnesses and get through the Second World War in Germany. After the war, she was shipped to England where she met Mykola Mandzij, a young man from near her home in Ukraine. They met and married within two weeks. Together they lived in Halifax, England. Their only child, Mary was born on Mom's birthday -December 6, 1950. Anna's mother-in-law, "Baba" Ewdokia Mandzij, was able to join the family and in 1952 they all sailed on the Queen Anne to Montreal and subsequently settled in Winnipeg. Once settled, she worked hard, and entertained often and many. Who didn't love Mama's pyryszhky or kotlyeta or sweet and sour ribs! She loved her garden.and making preserves. She enjoyed sewing and could sew or fix just about everything. She loved the park and flowers, watching concerts and dancing. Mom supported pretty well anything Dad or Mary did and was always encouraging. As members of St. Josephs Ukrainian Catholic Church, the family weekly walked the several miles from home to praise God and celebrate Liturgy together. She made sure that Mary knew God, as well as the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian Dance. Anna had a wonderful outlook on life, and even when upset, she had a very patient personality. She seemed to have that sixth sense some mothers have, that knows instinctively what to say and do in various situations. Her family was her life and she sent parcels and help to her Ukrainian nieces, nephews, and her parents and siblings. Grant and Mary could always count on Mama and Tato to babysit. Mom loved Johnnyher first grandchild. She would babysit often and loved to tell the stories of when he climbed up on the fridge and she couldn't get him down! Or when he ran away at the park and she fell over trying to catch him. they all laughed so hard when he and Dad tried to get her up, it took about half an hour!!! She loved babysitting and speaking Ukrainian to granddaughter Ashley and singing the many songs Ashley brought home from school. They had a very special relationship. Anna loved watching the antics of her great-grandchildren, Falicity, Cassidy, Teia and Dominic. She always had a special treat or pyrohy for them when they visited. Later in life she enjoyed living at Amber Meadows with Mykola, and for the past several years at Maples Personal Care Home. A special thanks to all the nurses, and health care aids, and the housekeeping staff for making her home there such a happy one. Throughout her life, Anna was the quiet yet solid anchor of the family. We will miss her. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal". Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 737 Bannerman Avenue. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery 4355 Main St., West St. Paul. Thank you to the pallbearers: John Hagman, Roman Chomynec, Doug Moore, Rick Kizuk, and Ben Wheelwright and Roman Demczyszak. Special thanks to Fr. Isidore Dziadyk, OSBM. You may choose to make a donation in Anna's memory to the charity of your choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT REST IN PEACE, MAMA KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193
Publish Date: Jan 10, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2015