Obituary

 

Beloved wife of the late Volodymyr Turkewych and mother of Dr. Christine Turkewych and George Turkewych, greatly loved grandmother of Zenia (Zenovia), passed away on June 21 2021 in her 96th year.

Anna was born in Zadobrova Ukraine, the daughter of the late Theodore Ohura and Julia Pluta, and sister to the late Jaroslawa Polansky (Myroslav), aunt to the late Wally (Marijke), Al (Voni), Emily and great aunt to Cassandra and Nikolas.

With her parents blessing, Anna followed her sister to Munich Germany to avoid reliving Soviet rule. At the end of the war, Anna found herself in a displaced persons camp where she completed teacher education certification. Her post war immigration to Canada brought her to Ottawa on a domestic service contract. There, Anna became a member of PLAST a Ukrainian Youth Organization where life long friends were made.  Anna will be remembered for her ability to make friends easily and to retain those friendships for long years.

For the greater part of her professional life, Anna worked as a medical secretary at Toronto General Hospital and also volunteered as a translator for patients in four languages. She thrived in service oriented organizations. Her volunteerism extended to her community for over 40 years as an active member of the Women’s League for the Liberation of Ukraine ( now known as the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women), the Ukrainian Canadian Women’s Council – Toronto Branch, KUMF the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation and the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League at Saint Josaphat’s Cathedral where she and her family were parishioners. In retirement years, Anna and husband moved to the St. Demetrius Senior Residences and became parishioners at St. Demetrius the Great Martyr. Anna was a strong advocate for the residence as a very practical life style for seniors and enjoyed her choice for over 20 years.

Anna was dedicated to the program for seniors’ visitations delivered by the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services in the Toronto area. For over 25 years and well into her 80’s, she visited seniors in private and nursing homes, as well as hospitals. In recognition of her volunteer work, she received the Province of Ontario Volunteer Service Award many times.

She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother who gave of herself selflessly to others. Her love and kindness encompassed her larger extended family in Ukraine with life long letter writing, gift giving and several visits.  

 

Living as a devout Catholic, Anna raised her family with values of hard work, educational achievement and the retention of Ukrainian heritage through her ability to rigorously practice key rituals, to excel in baking “kruhyj tortes”, to model her passion for music and the decorative arts. She enjoyed entertaining and creating circles of friendship in her home. One of her favourite phrases was "After 80 I am grateful for every day God grants me".

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in her name to the Ukrainian-Canadian Social Services. Click here to make a donation.

 

 Due to the current Covid - 19 restrictions in Toronto that allow a maximum number of guests to attend a funeral, the service details will be kept private and attendance will be by invite-only.

The family thanks you for your support and understanding during this challenging time.

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation

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July 02, 2021
Luba and Roman Pankiw
Dear Chrystiu, Zenia and Family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother. I will always remember her with a smile. She was a warm and gracious lady with whom our late mother Daria Derbish formed a friendship, late in life through their work at the Ukrainian Social Services. Your mother along with Mrs. Kowalsky used to visit my mom frequently in her final years at the Ivan Franko home on Royal York. Suspilna Sluszba is where Anna Turkewych devoted her time and energy in helping the forgotten, the sick and the lonely. Thank you for your friendship and years of service. May you Rest In Peace. Vichnaya Pamyat.
June 30, 2021
Anne Molinari
Dear Christine & Zenia: Adrian and I offer our sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved grandmother. We remember the kindness of both Anna & Walter and their unflagging support of the two of you. Of course we can't forget to mention her baking. Her past life is an inspiration to all of us. I truly believe that she is now in a better place, together again with Walter.
June 28, 2021
Nadia lypowecky
Dear Chrystia, My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you at this time May the many happy memories you have of your mother stay with you and bring you comfort in the days ahead Nadia Lypowecky
June 26, 2021
Ariadna Ochrymovych
Dear Chrystia and family, My sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. You were so blessed to have such a wonderful mother. Dear CHrystia and family, My sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. You were so blessed to have such a wonderful, caring mother. VIchnaya Pamjat.
June 24, 2021
Janice Taskey
Dear Chrystia and family, Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of your beautiful mother. May you enjoy all the wonderful memories that she created for you and everything that she taught you. She was a very special lady and will be missed by all the people whose lives she touched. Vichnaya Pamyat! Sincerely, Lu and Janice Taskey and family
June 23, 2021
Daria Kowalyk
Sincere condolences to the whole family on the death of your mother, grandmother and aunt. She will be remembered as a kind, loving person, dedicated to her community. May she rest in peace. Vichnaya Pamyat'!
June 22, 2021
Nadia Tataryn (nee Mychajlycia)
Sending condolences to the entire family on the death of your mother, grandmother and aunt. When we emigrated to Canada we lived a short time with your mother's sister, pani Polansky and her family on Fuller Avenue. My parents eventually bought a house at the other end of Fuller Avenue. Although my interaction with your mother was infrequent, she always remembered me and inquired about my parents. I saw her more frequently when my father became a resident of the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre and we saw her either walking with her friends in the neighbourhood or visiting someone at the facility. A donation has been made in her memory. Although she is gone she will be forever remembered. Vichnaya pamyat.
June 21, 2021
Daria Evtushenko
Dear Chrystia and family, Just found out about your Mother and Baba. I will always remember her as a beautiful lady. Dressed to the nines. I am happy that I was still able to talk to her on her last birthday. She asked me to come and visit her and to remember to wear my mask or they wouldn’t let me in. You chose a beautiful picture. Хай спочиває у Бозі. Darka and Peter Evtushenko and family