Mrs. Maria Nakonechny

Obituary

Maria was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and even a great-great grandmother. For a variety of reasons and life events she did not meet some of her extended family.

Maria was pre-deceased by Volodymyr (first husband), Mehajlo, & Volodymyr (sons), and Mykola (second husband).

Maria is survived by Maria (daughter in law), sons Paul (Ann deceased), John (Liliana), George and Ihor (Mary) and their families which include 8 grand children (Sue Mari, Leticia Andrew, Kelly, Heather, Zaviyth, Gabriel, Rebekah), 11 great grandchildren (Amanda, Stephany, Victor, Alex, Eyrin, Haley, Eric, Samantha, Thomas, Paul, Leo,) and 1 great-great grandchild (Tyler)

Maria lived a long life, full of both joy and sorrow. She was born in a small village in western Ukraine called Shpykolosy. Although she lost her dad at a very young age, she enjoyed a happy childhood. Life changed radically when she was uprooted during WW11 and forced to work in Germany at the age of 15. While there, she met Volodymyr Dzwinkiwsky, who was also taken. They married and had a son, named Volodymyr. They attempted to make their way back to Ukraine after the war. However, they decided not to pursue this due to reports of conditions there. They returned from Poland to a refugee camp in Germany. Sadly, Maria’s second son, Mehajlo passed away as an infant.

Eventually, they emigrated to Curitiba, Brazil, where they settled in a Ukrainian enclave. These were joyful years for Maria. Her third son, Paul, was born. She worked as a homemaker and helped her husband in his work as a cobbler. Maria was active in the Ukrainian community and life of the church. She was part of a folk-dance troupe, sang in the choir, and recited poetry.

Almost at the age of 40, after her husband Volodymyr tragically passed away, Maria moved to Canada with her youngest son, Paul, and remarried. Further tribulation came to her some years later when she learned that Volodymyr, her oldest son, passed away in Brazil prematurely due to an illness.

Her and Mykola Nakonechny had three sons, John, George and Ihor. During these challenging years, she worked very hard both as a homemaker and helped Mykola in his endeavours. Maria loved spending time in her gardens where she kept a variety of flowers and grew vegetables. In and around the house it was common to hear Maria break out in song. She loved singing Ukrainian folk songs as well as spiritual ones. These served as reminders of the beautiful fields and orchards surrounding her village that she loved from her childhood, and frequently reminisced about so fondly, as well as her faith in God. She enjoyed reading and had subscriptions to a Ukrainian women’s journal and newspaper. She read her bible as well as Ukrainian literature, poetry and history. She enjoyed listening to Ukrainian radio and television programs.

Maria was 72 when Mykola passed away. She entered a period of relative peace and rest for the remainder of her life. During these years she enjoyed the company of the youngest of her grandkids. They remember her bringing over Krispy Kreme donuts, watching Veggie Tales and playing with them. As the years passed, Maria was content being at home and receiving visits from her kids and grandkids that were close by. And dogs, she adored them. Rarely was there a time where she didn’t have one in the home. In her latter years, they were wonderful companions whose company she loved. Maria continued enjoying her interests until her strength, eyesight and mental capacity diminished.

Maria was a hard working, kind, generous woman with a gentle spirit. We admired her steadfastness and resilience. She had a mother’s servant heart that loved her family and sacrificially put the interests of others ahead of her own. You were a beautiful person, and we are grateful for the time we had together. We will miss you dearly and remember you fondly with much love.

Over the years, when reflecting on her life, Maria would often vocalize her conviction: that as a girl in a small Ukrainian village, God took her by the hand and kept her, as she crossed the world from Europe to Brazil, and then on to Canada. He had kept her through many storms. During the early morning hours of December 9th, while asleep in her home, God took Maria’s hand one more time and ushered her into His eternal presence. Glory to God!

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Maria's honour to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

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