Part 3:

We continued to get together on a regular basis and especially more often as mom's mobility required all of us to come to her and help to do more and more.

With her declining hearing in face to face conversations and unsuccessful transition to using a hearing aid, using the telephone to have a conversation was a great substitute. The trouble was that all mom was interested in was knowing when you are coming over. So once you respond, she just hung up the phone and started happily waiting for your arrival!

In mom's lifetime she's moved more than 2 dozen times. She didn't want to move again. So after her husband Mykola passed away, each of us supported her in every way possible to extend her ongoing enjoyment of  life at home. 

I think mom demonstrated how keeping active, enjoying home-cooked meals, feeling needed by helping others (like making and giving things) and accepting help when you need it, socially connecting with many people, looking at the bright side and bright surroundings/clothing can raise your spirits, challenging yourself to learn and do new things all results in a long and happy life.

Now she is re-joining her husband of 70 years. Mykola has been waiting patiently since he passed away 10 years ago.

Thank you for participating in my mom's journey.

Part 2:

Next a few moves later the family lived in Dauphin Manitoba. She became involved in the Ukrainian church and activities they held there.

Soon the family moved to Sudbury and were involved in the church. Sylvia, Zenin and myself (Terry) were born in this city. Mom's flair for colour grew to include fashionable styling of clothing and quite the social network.

When the family moved to Kitchener, the older children moved onwards for college and university education then into their own families. For many years she enjoyed an ever expanding garden with all sorts of produce plus several colourful flower gardens throughout the front and back yards. Also, once again mom participated in everything possible at the church. She led church fundraisers, meals and cleanup for the huge congregation, sewed costumes for the Ukrainian dancers, hosted quilting bees, donated all sorts of items for new immigrants, conducted lots of almost therapy sessions over the phone with many church members, connected a few people to jobs and carpooled widowers to/from church.

In the meantime, I remember that mom was a really quick learner and a keen sense of problem solving. After I had been playing fairly well at chess in school for several years mom expressed an interest in learning the game. I explained how the pieces move and the purpose of the game. She then proceeded to solidly win the first 5 games in a row! 

With Kitchener being the center of where all her kids lived, we usually gathered at my parent's place. Mealtime is always fun. I think mom could have operated a profitable restaurant because it felt like every course was served one immediately after the other. You never had a chance to take a break and talk at the dining room table. It felt like we were being rushed because it's as though she was expecting another set of "customers" to arrive. But in all seriousness, I think this habit was developed from the time on the farm: Eat fast and get back to work!

Part 1:

On behalf of the family we want to thank you all for coming during this COVID pandemic. I'm sure for some of you it was a challenge to be here. Perhaps the most difficult commute was experienced by my 2nd oldest brother Nick. When he received word on Monday that mom had passed away he had to drive from Winnipeg to Vancouver and then fly to Toronto. We are grateful that you could be here with us.

Mom has travelled even a further distance.  Her birthplace was in a small farming village called Bychach in the Ternopil province of Western Ukraine. She was born April 7th 1922. Yes, that's more than 98 years ago! Mom finished high school there just in time for her parents to decide to immigrate to Canada. Together with her parents and her brother Joe they had the long and slow journey passing through multiple countries in Europe before boarding the ship Alaunia in early September 1937 and travelled across the Atlantic and arrived in Montreal. After a couple of trains she arrived in the Rosburn district of Manitoba.This is where her new life began.

Soon she met her future husband Mykola at a neighbouring farm. A year later they were married and continued farming. A year and a half later Ivan was born. 5 years later Nick was born. All the while mom kept the house going and dealt with live stock.

During this time was the birth of her core principles: Everyone helps everyone. This is necessary in isolated farming but has carried forward for her entire life. You can read more about this on her memorial web page. 

Another principle is for being positive. In the long harsh Manitoba winters it can be very dark and discouraging. So she started collecting and using brightly coloured materials to sew and make clothing or simply painting the walls sunshine yellow. 
Another principle is leading by example. Once you see how satisfying doing something yourself others want to experience that same joy.

My deepest sympathies to you Zenin and family on your loss. I have many a found memories of your mother and father as we grew up over the 55+ years in our parish.. May they rest in peace together for eternity. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend the visitation or funeral due to isolation protocal, but my thoughts and prayers wil be with you.
Andy & Karen

Our sincere condolences to the family! 
Rest in Peace pani Maria! May the angels welcome you into your heavenly home and the loving arms of God! Pan Mykola has been waiting for you there. Now you can be together again! 
What a nice couple both pani Maria (Mary) and pan Mykola (Nicola) were!   We had a pleasure meeting them about 15 years ago and will never forget their kindness, open heart and generosity. 
70 years together! Wow! What a testament of love, companionship, support and care for each other! It was a simple joy to be around this couple. The warmth of their relationship, care and support for each other were the first things to notice. Ukrainian roots and their faith were a big part of their lives. Well known and respected within the region’s Ukrainian Community and Orthodox Church Family. 
Vichnaya Pamyat! 


OBITUARY

Mary (Gonec) Skomorowski

April 7, 1922 – August 24, 2020

Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre

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