header-black-pink-bracelet.jpg

Archive for June, 2014

A Matriarch has passed…….

June 6, 2014 | Filed under: Uncategorized

I am sad to write that my mother passed away May 16th, 2014. She was a woman who had had a remarkable life, who came to Canada when the only support was from friends and church. She had no family here, neither did my father. Survival depended on getting work quickly and having the willingness, then to work very hard.
Her obituary which follows was written by one of her granddaughters.

Lachowskyj, Pella (Parascevia) – on May 16th 2014, comfortably at home with her family around her, after a brief but hard-fought battle. Predeceased in 1969 by her beloved husband Michael. Proud Mother of Stephanie and John King, Michael and Louise Lachowskyj. Indulgent Baba to Maggie Fox, Amanda Mercier, Tyler King, Catherine and “Little” Michael Lachowkskyj and her great-grandchildren Jules Cameron, Cadence and Madeline Mercier and Bastian King. Pella (or Paranja, as she was known to her friends), led one of those lives that is almost unimaginable to us now. After leaving her village in Western Ukraine for Germany as a teenager during WW II, Pella did not see her family again for more than 25 years. When the war ended, the choice had to be made between Canada, or a return home. Pella chose the uncertainty and opportunity of Canada, for which her family is eternally grateful. The Lachowskyjs moved to Hamilton, where they built, bought and sold real estate until Michael Sr’s life was suddenly cut short on October 31st, 1969. Every year since his death, Pella has held a memorial mass at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (where she was a founding member). Always in motion, she was very active in the Ukrainian community, where she was respected for her faith and kindness. Pella had a powerful belief in the importance of education and hard work – and made her expectations clear to her family. She lived through difficult choices, challenges and hardships so that we could have a better life. Pella absolutely succeeded, and we are lucky to have had such a devoted Mother, Baba and Prababa.
Her funeral was four days before our studio tour. I thank all those who came to the studio tour….altho it was a sad time for me….I am happy to note that this spring tour was one of the best. Many new people came which is always important. And of course those who patronize me regularly were there also. Eric Ranveau, my guest, had an extremely successful tour and was delighted with the response to his work. Hopefully he will join us again in the fall.

Posted by Stephanie @ 11:27 am | Comments


Categories

Previous Posts

Subscribe

Meta