It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Vera Markowski, on Thursday June 18, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 96. Vera survived her husband Roman Markowski; brothers Peter and Vladimir Kousyakin; daughter-in-law Evelyn Markowski. Vera will be lovingly remembered by her sister Claudia Kousyakin; son Norm Markowski (Wendy); grandsons Jeffrey Markowski and David Markowski (Kristina); great-grandchildren McKenna and Ruth. Vera was a loving wife, mother, sister and Baba.
Vera was born in Lebedka, Russia, January 11, 1930, and a refugee of the war. As a young girl, she went to Oberhausen, Western Germany, along with her father, mother, sister and one brother, where they worked the fields to earn their place.
On February 8, 1949, the International Refugee Organization arrived at the camp and granted Vera and her family refugee status, offering them emigration to Canada. Vera and her family boarded the US Navy Ship (USS General LeRoy Eltinge) bound for Halifax and ended up being sponsored by a sugar beet farmer in McGrath, Alberta.
