Obituary of HELEN ROMANIUK

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Romaniuk (nee Senkiw),  on June 23, 2019 at the Riverview Health Centre.

A beautiful, courageous, caring and generous woman, she will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Connie (Frank Soja), son Kelly (Cathy), granddaughters Leanna, Lori-Ann and Nicole and great grandson Brody,  her brother Emil (Mary), many nieces, nephews and friends.

 She was predeceased by her husband Michael Romaniuk, her parents Harry Senkiw and Anna  Nazarewich, brother John, sisters, Stephanie, Alice and Joan.

Helen was born in Sarto, Manitoba on October 10, 1931. In 1951 she married Michael and set out on a loving marriage for 33 years until his untimely passing in 1984.

She was an independent spirit who was able to care for herself and remain in her own home until the time of her illness. She felt blessed when she became a grandmother and great grandmother; her grandchildren were the light of her life, whose love for their baba was only exceeded by her love for them.

Helen was a member of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral and the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada- Lesia Ukrainka Branch. In her younger years she devoted much time to the activities of the church. Proud of her Ukrainian heritage, she took pleasure in learning about Ukrainian history, religion and culture and passing that knowledge on to her children and grandchildren.

Excerpts  from her granddaughter’s eulogy:

“Baba always made us feel special.  When we would have a sleepover, she would greet us in the morning with delicious homemade pancakes and chokecherry syrup. CJOB would be blaring from the radio and she would always let us have a cup of coffee, which made us feel like adults.”

“Baba took great pride in her Ukrainian heritage and we have many enjoyable memories of making pysanky and paska. She was an excellent cook and baker. But her homemade pyrohy, holopchi, pyrishky, borscht and paska were phenomenal.  We always looked forward to celebrating  Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas and Easter holidays with Baba.”

“It will be lonely without you Baba; you will be missed more each day, especially at the family gatherings where you loved being around your children and grandchildren. Thank you Baba for your gifts of wisdom, humour, tenderness, understanding, patience and your love. Today, tomorrow and our whole lives through, we will always cherish those gifts that you have given us. I only hope when you left us, you knew how much we cared. We will always hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain. To be with us throughout our lives –until we meet again. We love you.”

We are grateful for the compassionate care that our mother received at the Riverview Health Centre. Thank you to Father Oris and Dobrodika Rose Naherniak for their spiritual support.

To honour our mother’s wishes a private family funeral service and interment has taken place.

Flowers gratefully declined, for those wishing to do so, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

Vichnaya Pamyat   Memory Eternal