Obituary of Dr. TARNAWECKY

DR. IRAIDA TARNAWECKY nee GERUS It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Iraida Tarnawecky on Tuesday July 05, 2011 at the Calvary Place Personal Care Home. Iraida's passing is mourned by her cherished family: daughters Marusia Zurek and husband Kas, Natalie Balko and husband George, and her five grandchildren Michael and Andrei Zurek, Oleksa, Stefan and Arkadia Balko. She will be sadly missed by her brother Oleh Gerus and sister-in-law Bonnie, her niece and nephews Helene (Paul) Lucko, Andrew Gerus, Roman (Jennifer) Gerus, Zoya Bilozor, their families, and many friends and colleagues. She was predeceased by her husband Michael (2003) and her parents Protopresbytyr Dr. Serhij and Anna (Borecky) Gerus. Iraida was born in 1924 in Pochaiv, Volyn, Ukraine to Rev. Serhij and Anna (Borecky) Gerus. Her Ukrainian Orthodox Faith was a very important and integral aspect of her upbringing, with many family members serving the Church. She was proud of the fact that her birthplace was near a famous Ukrainian Orthodox Monastery (Pochaivska Lavra). During the ensuing years of World War II and the hardships she and her family endured, their Faith provided guidance and solace through many difficult circumstances. Following the war years, Iraida studied medicine at Goettingen University in Germany. There she met her love and life partner Michael, a law student, and they married in 1948. The next year Iraida and Michael immigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg, where they began a new life, a new family and new careers. When Iraida re-started her academic studies, she changed her focus to the Humanities, obtaining her Masters of Arts in German and Slavic Studies at the University of Manitoba and her PhD at the Ukrainian Free University of Munich. She began teaching at the University of Manitoba in 1963 and retired as Professor and Senior Scholar in 1993. Iraida was a prolific researcher and author producing academic books, articles, as well as papers for national and international conferences. She was the recipient of major research grants, as well as serving on the Canada Council. She was internationally recognized for her expertise in many aspects of Slavic Studies, particularly for her research of old Cyrillic manuscripts she discovered throughout Canada. Her professional service included executive positions in the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Canada, the Canadian Association of Slavists, the Canadian Onomastic Society and the Research Institute of Volyn'. She also found time to serve in several Ukrainian community organizations. Above all, Iraida was a faithful and longtime member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral. In 2002, as part of their continued commitment to the Ukrainian community, Iraida and her husband, Professor Emeritus Michael (Electrical Engineering), funded an academic legacy. "The Professors Michael and Iraida Tarnawecky Distinguished Visiting Lecture Series" was established at the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies, St. Andrew's College, at the University of Manitoba. Iraida enjoyed travelling with Michael and was fortunate their academic careers provided numerous opportunities to explore the world together. These world experiences inspired their extensive art collection and enhanced their love of music. On the home front she was a consummate hostess, entertaining both at home and at her much beloved cottage in Gimli - "Komarivka". She enjoyed good food, fine wines, interesting company and a lively debate. She provided loving support and encouragement to her daughters and grandchildren whom she cherished dearly. Iraida was truly a rare and special woman - intelligent, witty, devoted to her family, community and profession. She will be profoundly missed. The Funeral Service for Iraida will be on Tuesday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Trinity Metropolitan Cathedral, 1175 Main Street, with Very Rev. Fr. G. Mielnik officiating and Protopresbytyr Dr. Oleh Krawchenko co-celebrating. Interment will be in the family plot at Glen Eden Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Iraida's grandsons Michael Zurek, Andrei Zurek, Oleksa Balko, Stefan Balko, nephews Roman Gerus and Paul Lucko. The family expresses our gratitude to Iraida's care workers from Comforts of Home, particularly Dianne and Leslie, and her kind caregivers at Calvary Place Personal Care Home throughout these difficult two years. Donations in Iraida's memory can be made to the Professors Michael and Iraida Tarnawecky Distinguished Lecture Series at the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies, to St. Andrew's College, or to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. "Vichnaya Pamyat'"