Mrs. Starr Tkachuk

Obituary

Starr Lydia Tkachuk, born March 1, 1934,  passed very peacefully in the loving hands of her caregiver Mimi, on January 8, 2024 in her home in Toronto, one day after the former Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas. Her other primary caregivers who gave day and night support are: Isabel, Julie, Alice, May, Nelly and Eliana and many others. Many thanks to her doctors, nurses  and especially geriatrician Dr. Tal at St. Joseph’s Health Centre. Starr, with an extra “r” like a ray of sunlight, had a glint of starlight in her eyes. She had a ready laugh and always saw the best in people. Even her former high school students, some of whom she battled with as she taught them food services class, years later would stop her on the street and say, “Hello Mrs. Tkachuk !” and she would laugh at the thought. She also helped many find jobs in the food industry. She first graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor’s degree in Household Science and then St. Michael’s Hospital in Dietetics in 1959, and completed teacher’s college. Her first teaching job was in Kirkland Lake, then later at Castle Frank, retiring from Central Technical High School in 1989. She also worked in London, Ontario for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture as a nutritionist. Starr was a great volunteer for many organizations and community groups including helping Ukrainians. She was a long-time parishioner, as was her mother, of her cherished church, St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Franklin Street in Toronto; church service 10:30 am January 12th, 2024. Her father, Mike was a founding partner of the famed Beaver Bread, a bakery far ahead of its time. As her friend Rose noted, her parents spirit of generosity helped guide Starr to be a kind person. She and her husband Bill also loved music and they both enjoyed singing. She is survived by numerous cousins and godchildren. She was predeceased by her husband William “Bill” Tkachuk who passed away after reaching his 90th birthday in 2021; her parents, Mary “May” and Michael “Mike” Linycia; and their adopted son, Raymond Hrycyna. Starr  will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery in Toronto alongside husband Bill and her parents, Mary and Mike Linycia, Raymond and cousin George Wawrykowich. All of us who loved Starr could hear her singing until the end of her days with us.

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Cremation