Obituary of VERA N. L. WATOWICH

Vera N. L. Watowich 10/20/1928 – 10/21/2012 Vera Nadia Lovey Watowich (nee Zarowski) of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2012, a day after celebrating a joyous 84th birthday with her husband Stanley and family. Vera was a vibrant,blessed soul, and a continual source of love, support, encouragement, inspiration, and joy to her family and friends. Vera was born to John and Anna Zarowski, Ukrainian immigrants, on October 20, 1928, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She attended Faraday Elementary School and Isaac Newton High School in Winnipeg, fitting namesakes that stirred her lifelong passion for science and education. She received a scholarship to St. Mary’s Academy and College and then transitioned to the University of Manitoba, where she graduated in 1951 with a B.Sc. (honors) in Biochemistry. Continuing her love of science and learning, she completed an M.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba and became the first woman lecturer/researcher in the School of Medicine’s Department of Bacteriology. At the University, Vera was a pioneer and leader in founding the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK), which continues today as the coordinating body of Ukrainian-Canadian students at different post-secondary institutions across Canada. She served as its first President from 1953-1958 and always maintained pride in her Ukrainian-Canadian heritage. She married Stanley N. Watowich of Winnipeg, a geologist, on November 2, 1957, and soonmoved to the Dominican Republic. This started the young couple on family-rearing adventures across the Western Hemisphere; from the Dominican Republic to Noranda (Quebec), Nicaragua, South Porcupine (Ontario), Babbitt (Minnesota), Yuma (Arizona), and finally to Lakewood (Colorado) in 1991.In every new location, Vera preserved the family’s Ukrainian heritage within the home and instilled in her children an appreciation for its traditions.She was a loving mother and teacher who championed each of her six children to obtain college degrees. Her love of learning and children kept her active. Vera’s desire to contribute to the community in each new location led to various volunteer activities at church, school, and her children’s activities. She spent many hours at ice rinks following her children or in her flower gardens. In Minnesota, she completed a business degree and opened a tax preparation business. She served as a census taker in Minnesota and again in Yuma. She returned to teaching later in life, this time as a computer teacher at St. Francis of Assisi School in Yuma, AZ, and Our Lady of Fatima School in Denver, CO. After retirement in 1998,Vera spent the next 10 years as an Oasis Tutor at Kendrick Lakes Elementary School in Lakewood where she enjoyed sharing smiles and reading with young children.She was active with the AAUW in Lakewood where she served as a newsletter editor for many years. She is pre-deceased by her parents and brothers John and Vladimir Zarowski. She is survived by her husband Stan of 55 years; 6 loving children: Anna-Maria Weston and her husband John of Sugar Land, TX; Stanley Watowich and his wife Stephanie of Houston, TX; Jean Meeks-Koch and her husband Tom of Portland, OR; Mark Watowich and his wife Betty of Gravette, AR; Gregory Watowich and his wife Chardee of Yuma, AZ; and Bernadette Stead and her husband Chris of Centennial, CO; 20grandchildren: Amanda (Justin Hurst), Ryan (Amy), Johanna, Alexandra (Justin Grove), Cody, Caroline, Garrett, Marina,Clayton, Zachary, Christopher, Tyler, Matthew, Nicholas, Hannah, Bryan, Katy, Jordan, Natalie and Colin; 4great-grandchildren: Lyndon, Kennedy, Landon and Gideon; 2 nieces: Cathy Bowman and Lynn Kulbaba of Winnipeg; nephew Peter Harrison of Winnipeg; 4 great nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Mildred Zarowski of Winnipeg. Vera will be deeply missed, especially at our annual family reunion. She will be always remembered as a mom, baba and "angel in disguise." A memorial prayer service will take place Thursday, November 1 at 8:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated Friday, November 2 at 2:00 p.m. by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Buyachok at St. Volodymyr and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor Street. Interment will follow at the Zarowski family plot at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Vera's name to your favorite educational charity.