MARIA OROBKO

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MARIA OROBKO It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Maria Orobko, who left this world on Thursday, September 27, 2018. Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael on September 21, 2015, son Ollie on June 3, 2016, son Leo on October 4, 2015, son Roman on August 21, 2014 and her grandson Allan on February 23, 2015. Left to cherish her memory are son Emil (Maria); daughter Nadia (Calvin); daughters-in-law, Linda and Diane; grandchildren, Rick (Angela), Tamara (Ross), Evan, Gavin (Lauren), Andrea, Kaylee, Austin and Tyler; and great-grandchildren, Teja, Kiana, Alexis, Eva and Lucas, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in Winnipeg and Ukraine. Maria was born in the small village of Zahirtsi in Western Ukraine on August 28, 1926, the second of six children. She was forcibly taken away from her parents and siblings in 1942 to perform labour in Ludwigsburg, Germany. There, she lived and worked for a family who owned a bakery and general store, but was kindly treated as if one of their family. Soon after the war, she met her husband, Michael, in the Grenadier Refugee Camp near Ludwigsburg while in line for a meal in the camp kitchen. After marrying in Germany and the birth of sons Emil and Roman, Maria encouraged Michael to seek out his two uncles who were believed to be living somewhere in Canada. With the help of the International Red Cross, relatives in Winnipeg, and much good fortune, Maria and her family were able to successfully immigrate to Canada in November, 1948. In Winnipeg, Maria worked at the Simmons Mattress Company before she and Michael purchased and operated the first of two corner grocery stores. The basics of the English language were learned from their customers and from others such as bakery and dairy delivery men. In the early 1960s, three more children, Leo, Ollie and Nadia, enlarged the family to seven members. Maria later assisted Michael in the operation of Main Meats and Groceteria on Main Street for 25 years before selling the business in 1983. Maria enjoyed cooking and baking, entertaining, playing cards (especially Canasta), board games, reading, gardening, camping, needlework, and her cat, Beauty. Her heart was filled with love for her family, who always came first, but also concern and deep empathy for anyone less fortunate whom she saw in physical or emotional distress. Maria was generally in good health until late in life when she suffered a series of falls that resulted in numerous bone fractures which limited her mobility. She derived great pleasure and hope in God's assurance of living forever in paradise as promised in Revelation 21:3,4. The family would like to extend its thanks to the staff at the Maples Personal Care Home for the compassionate care shown to our mother and Babunia during her five and a half years residency there. Funeral service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1877 Inkster Blvd. on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Hwy. #1 East at Navin Road. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements. If desired, donations in Maria's memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, or charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 29, 2018