Irene Shevchuk

Obituary

Irene Shevchuk, Peacefully, aged 93 years, Irene Shevchuk found her final rest on January 24, 2017. Irene was born in and spent her early years, in Rostov-on-Don in the former Soviet Union. After suffering through terrible wartime conditions, her family escaped to a displaced persons camp in Germany where she was married and her children were born. The young family emigrated to Canada in 1952, where both parents worked hard to make a new and better life for themselves and their children. During her working years, Irene held a variety of positions—housekeeper, office clerk and grocery store proprietor. She ended her working life as Payroll Manager for Ralston Purina, Mississauga. Her family prospered under her matriarchy—daughter Lydia Shevchuk (Gavin Baird) and son Alex Shevchuk (Sally Leitch). She was Baba to beloved grandchildren Noah Baird (Gillian Gordon) Larissa McCutcheon, Doug Baird (Marcie), Shannon Baird, Brian Baird and Andrei Shevchuk, and Babi to cherished great-grandsons Zane and Grady. She is also survived by her brother Constantine Samoylenko (Karen Deady) and niece Marina Belyea. She was predeceased by her husband, Ivan Shevchuk, in 1985, and her much-loved nephew Sergei Samoylenko (Lisa Petrillo Samoylenko), in 2011. Irene was a person of amazing talents—a linguist (six languages), a gifted dressmaker and a cook extraordinaire. She spent countless hours volunteering with the Russian Canadian Cultural Aid Society and with the Sisterhood at Holy Trinity Church, where she also made many numerous life-long friends. Irene’s love of travel took her to many places, from the Yukon to Machu Picchu—throughout Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, even returning to her Russian homeland several times. But, for all her travels, a special place was held in her heart for the summers spent at her daughter’s island cottage on Canyon Lake in north-western Ontario. She was a wonderful hostess and loved entertaining. Her costume and New Year's Eve parties were famous. Her cooking skills, particularly in Russian cuisine, were legendary. The family would like to extend special thanks to the caring staff at Grenadier Retirement Home and Meighen Manor who looked after her and kept her comfortable for many years. Panachyda (requiem prayers) will be said on Monday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 23 Henry St., Toronto. The Funeral Service is on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m., to be followed by interment at York Cemetery, North York. A luncheon at Holy Trinity follows the Interment Service. If desired, donations can be made in Irene's name to a charity of choice. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation