Obituary of JUDITH ANNE KAPTY

JUDITH ANNE KAPTY

It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden, yet peaceful passing of our Mom, Baba, Chocha, and friend, Judy on September 24, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 77.

She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Russell John in 2015, her parents John and Stephanie Gelmych (nee Shkolny), and her sister Diana Mae McLay.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, son Theodore and his spouse Jasmine Chateauneuf, son Michael and his wife Rose (nee Skavinski), and daughter Uliana and her spouse Gordon McClure; grandchildren, Lukian, Markian, and Zenovia Kapty, Taisa Paseschnikoff; niece Darusia Kozelko (nee Kapty); and her fur grandchildren Vernon and Claire. She also leaves her sisters Stephanie Mazur and Cheryle Cote and nephew Dr. John McLay of Massachusetts and other close relatives and friends.

Judy was born in Winnipeg and was raised in the north end. She attended Isaac Newton School and St. John’s High School, and immediately entered the workforce as a secretary for Motor Coach Industries. Through her childhood and her formative years, she was active in the Ukrainian Community and both the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. She was involved in CYMK, choir, and dancing, where she eventually met Russell. She and Russell married in 1966, and following the wedding she took a long hiatus from work to create a loving home to raise their three children. All the while, she remained active as a member of O. Koshetz Choir, working for the Ukrainian National Federation St. Boniface BINGO, and was actively involved in volunteering for her children’s schools and activities, and passed on her passion for Ukrainian song and dance to her children.

When she returned to the workforce, she focused her career in the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg and worked for Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada Church Goods store, and Carpathia Credit Union Corporate Office, all in various secretarial and administrative support roles.

Mom, who in some circles was lovingly referred to as “Cookie” was a fantastic cook, and knew how to throw an incredible and sometimes impromptu gathering in their home. It was her nature to become a second mom to children in the neighbourhood and in the Ukrainian Community. She was known for her kindness and warmth, and also for being a little mischievous. She also had the most boisterous, head-turning laugh.

Instinctively, she was a natural caregiver, and consistently put the needs of others ahead of her own. This was evident in the time she spent in her early years as a mother helping to take care of other children, including taking in her youngest sister, and in her later years in the time she spent helping care for her own mother, and her loving husband until their final days. She truly defined the term “devoted wife.”

Due to her selflessness, time was not kind and this took a toll on her health; both emotionally and physically. It was our turn to take care of mom. She battled mental illness and COPD, but still held on to her intense love for her children and grandchildren. Her sense of humour never dwindled. She looked forward to weekly family brunch or supper and loved to indulge in red wine, strawberry sundaes, Fort Garry Rouge, virgin beer caesars, and huevos rancheros skillets from Salisbury House.

An avid reader, she read on average one book a day, and at one point had enough read books to fill the staircase leading to the second floor of the house, when she was still in the house. She moved into the Millenium Villa at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, under the watchful eye of Mihai Rosoha, and eventually, Golden Links Lodge PCH. Regardless of her residence, she filled her environment with the musical stylings of Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, and Andrea Bocelli, to list a few of her favourites. She was also a dedicated fan of both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets and occasionally donned her Harris or Wheeler jerseys.

The family is grateful to the loving staff at Golden Links Lodge for their wonderful care and the delicious food. Mom really enjoyed the food!! Also, thanks to Dr. Ryan Sustrick and the Emergency Department at St. Boniface Hospital for her final care, and especially to the chaplain, Justin for his comforting words and compassion, and Fr. Roman Bozyk for coming to see mom and the family at the hospital.

Prayers will be sung on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street with the Rt. Rev. Mitered Archpriest Dr. Roman Bozyk officiating, and O. Koshetz Choir singing. The funeral service will also be held at the chapel, Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow in Glen Eden Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roman Gerus, Michael Haack, Goddaughter Yvonne Hawryliuk, Zenovia Kapty, Larissa Klymkiw, and John Kozelko. Honourary pallbearers are Lukian Kapty and Markian Kapty. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre or Veselka Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT!