Mrs. Katherine Bodnarchuk

Obituary

We have lost a most precious person.  A loving mother to Anna and Sophie (09-24-1953 to 07 -19-2021), and precious grandmother to Nicholas and Matthew Hardabura and Matthew’s partner Erica Diener.

Mama was a survivor of the Holodomor in the Ukraine and of WW2.  She endured many hardships throughout her life, but through prayer to the Blessed Mother she was able to endure.

From the time Mama and Tato arrived to Canada in 1951 settling at first in St. Catharines, they became active in the church.  Many of the very mature trees and gardens surrounding St Cyril and Methodius were planted by my parents along with Fr. Chyz, parish priest at the time. Mama was always active within the church – Ladies League, church council.  This continued when they moved to Scarborough in 1958 and became parishioners at St Peter and Paul’s.  A few years later they became parishioners at St Basil the Great Church on Vaughan Rd, and thus began a lifelong relationship with the Basilian Fathers (Ukrainian Order).  Once again Mama was there to help out.  For many years she laundered and pressed the church linens – no easy task with the long embroidered alter clothes.  For Christmas and Easter participation in decorating the church was a must.  She taught in the Ukrainian school and even dressed up as St Nicholas one year.  When the need became evident for a Ukrainian Catholic parish in the north end (Thornhill) of Toronto, along with Fr Shewchuk Mama and Tato were there to help convert a historic Roman Catholic Church to the now Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Volodomyr.

Mama’s love for all things of Ukraine, especially the embroidery was evident.  She promoted Ukrainian culture to the ‘outside‘ world by participating and sharing her huge collection of embroidery and the Ukrainian traditions at Christmas and Easter in various venues through Toronto.  Christmas was always the busiest as sometimes there were several places requesting a decorated tree to illustrate the multicultural communities in Toronto.

First foremost was Mama’s love and devotion to church and especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In times of trouble and difficulty throughout her life she would pray to the Blessed Mother for help and her prayers were always answered.

There will be many who will miss her.  When you think of her from time to time, say a prayer to the Blessed Mother in remembrance of her.

Mama I will always miss you greatly. You are now safely with Tato and Sophie.  Be with God.

Vichnaya Pahmyat.  Forever in our thoughts.

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Burial