Anna Gorejko

12-09-1928 to 29-09-2026

“In a blessed falling asleep, grant, O Lord, eternal rest unto Thy departed servant Anna and make her memory to be eternal!”

Vichnaya Pamyat

Mother, Provider, Rock. An island of common sense and solid support. No matter who entered her home, she would in what seemed seconds magically prepare a table of food. With it came love and nourishment for the soul. Quiet inquiry about how the day was going and what events were making you happy or sad. How she could manage a full-time factory job and maintain a household where everything was clean and organized was a miracle in itself.

Anna was the fourth of five children born to Eva and Ivan Fedyk in the small village of Zabiria in Western Galicia, situated on the border of Poland and Ukraine. Anna’s life on the family farm ended at age 14 when she was taken as forced labour to Germany. Her story is similar to that of many of the displaced Ukrainians who at the end of World War II found themselves in DP camps and were forcefully being returned to the Soviet Union. However, she escaped to the British sector and waited in refugee camps while the issue of nationality was settled. It was decided that, because she lived in Galicia when the region was under Polish rule, she was given status to emigrate to England. While working in the cotton mills of Lancashire she met and married Stefan, and not long after they had their only child, a son, Luby.

Coming to Canada in 1954 was a new and hopeful beginning. Their ethic of hard work and the support of friends created the opportunity for a better life. With steady, almost unrelenting focus on a positive future, they achieved success and self-improvement. At the same time, they maintained their love for their homeland and families left behind, and as many immigrants continue to do, they sent remittances back home in support of parents they would never see again.

Anna had a green thumb, and it was rumoured that she could make a stick grow into a tree the way she revived and nourished plants that were beyond rescue. That same care she lavished on her grand-daughters (Natalie, Adriana, Larrisa) as they grew and later on her great grand-daughters (Ilyana and Mila). Her love of Family was to be found in the pictures proudly displayed throughout her home.

Anna and Stefan (2003) were married for over 54 years, and she supported and encouraged him throughout his life. Both were active members of the Ukrainian diaspora and participated in both church and cultural groups. She leaves a legacy of kindness and traditional family values to her son Luby, and late daughter-in -law, Oli, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Anna will also be lovingly remembered by her nephews and nieces in Ukraine.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favourite charity.

A Funeral Service will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1490 Markham Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 2V9, CA, on October 6, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Rd, Toronto, ON M1K 1R1, CA, on October 6, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.