Obituary of YAROSLAVA DEMKO

YAROSLAVA DEMKO
1940-2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yaroslava Demko on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Health Sciences Centre, at the age of 84 in the most peaceful, serene way.

"Death has been my greatest Teacher." (The Buddha)

Early Years

The beautiful, courageous, Ukrainian "Warrior Woman," as a few have called her, Yaroslava Demko, was born in a small, humble village called Malawa, in what was Western Ukraine until WWII, after which it fell under Polish control.

She was raised by her parents Michael Demko (1900-1990) and Olena Demko (1907 - 2007: nee Melnyk), along with her siblings Stashko Demko, Jozef Demko, and Luba Demko.

Yaroslava grew up in the forest, near a lake, where the family went for water, with no electricity, no phones, no conveniences of any kind. Her World was one surrounded by animals and forests, deeply connected to Mother Earth. Her parents taught her to wake up early, care for the animals and her siblings. There was no sleeping in! 

Her parents modelled compassion for all living beings on Earth. When her father's 27 year old horse died, her father cried for days. When her mother's 23 year old cow died, her mother, too, cried for days. And when Yaroslava's animals died, like Bossy, her dog, who was hit by a car, she cried and mourned his loss and the loss of other beloved animals. She grew up this way, in a family who loved and respected animals, the trees, the wind, the rain, and all creatures living in the woods and water.

Yaroslava also grew up in a deeply spiritual Family. Ceremonies were observed throughout the year; prayers were always made. And her parents modelled spiritual responsibility, waking up very early to pray before going to take care of the animals, and giving thanks and prayers throughout the day, including every single evening before bed. 

Her parents taught her the old ancient Ukrainian songs, the language of Old Ukraine, before Russification/Colonization which changed the language and many other things. Her parents taught her to speak Ukrainian and to be proud of who she was, even in a new country like Poland. Her family and many Ukrainian families in Western Ukraine were forced to leave their lands and re-locate/disperse 100s of km's from their original homes. In Poland, she experienced discrimination for being Ukrainian. A poignant example was during the birthing of her son, Volodymyr (Wally), a Polish nurse cursed her, calling her racist names because of being Ukrainian--during giving birth!

(This is not to offend but to speak the truth of experiences, like Yaroslava's, and of many Ukrainians at that time during and after Akcja Visla.)

Akcja Visla, or forced relocation, starting in 1947 and subsequent years, has been described by some as a form of ethnic cleansing. Not long ago she complained that she didn't finish her book on this period in history, which can NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, she said.  It was her hope that people would come forward to complete that work and share it with Ukraine, Canada, the World, and the UN, as an acknowledgement of this time in history. Because as many Indigenous people have shared, after 500 years of colonization on Turtle Island or North America since Columbus, "There can be no reconciliation without truth."

(Note: After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Yaroslava shared her immense appreciation to the Polish people for offering refuge to the many Ukrainians escaping the horrors of war, as well as to Canada and other countries in the World who took in Ukrainian refugees. She was also deeply concerned and troubled about Gaza, Southern Sudan, and anywhere in the World where people were starving. She was also a strong voice in support of Indigenous people in Canada.)

Gifts/Talents

Yaroslava was a multi gifted young girl and woman: she came in 1st place in a country-wide art contest, of a portrait of an Indigenous Woman, who came to her in a vision. She was very young at the time.  She also spent hours loving the peace and solitude that comes with writing poetry, reading voraciously, daydreaming, and looking up in the clouds. So absorbed was she at times that the cows under her shepherdly watch would wander off, leaving her in a panic to search for them. She excelled not just in the arts, but in the sciences and early in her 50 year teaching career, while still in Poland, she taught high school math and physics, before coming to Canada in 1966 to work as a support teacher in School Division #1, in various Ukrainian Schools, at U of M, and for the City of Winnipeg teaching Ukrainian art and culture, as well as many other jobs to support her family. 

Adult Years and Canada

Yaroslava married Michael Kitasz in 1962 and gave birth to Walter (Volodymyr) Kitash (1963 - 1990); the love of her life, and to Ollie Star Eagle, a few months after the 1966 major blizzard in Winnipeg and upon her arrival to Canada.

Her husband left her with two children whom she raised in the North End near Flora + McGregor, and then in Gilbert Park on Chudley Street near Shaughnessy Park School.

Yaroslava worked tirelessly as a Ukrainian School Teacher, but also as an assistant manager at a credit union, mostly doing managerial work.  She once shared, "I mostly did his job, especially since he would take 2 -3 hour lunch breaks, and refused to give me a raise." She also earned extra money cleaning the credit union to earn extra income, which her manager did not like, because he told her it is beneath an assistant manager to do manual labor. She replied, "I am both a mother AND a father raising two children, and taking care of elderly parents. There is nothing shameful about this." 
 

Achievements

Yaroslava Demko was a visionary, an artist, a teacher, a breadwinner, a best friend and close confidante, a gardener, an animal rights activist, a social activist, a trail blazer, and a deep old soul who we shared this Earth with for a time.

She has been a Principal at different schools, a teacher, President of various Ukrainian organizations, including Ukrainian Social Services, worked a minimum of two to three jobs to support her family. She organized drama productions, school plays, verse speaking, special events, for over 50 years. She published journals at key times in a year and loved computers well into her 80s.

[Note: Copies of these journals called, "Nasha Hromada," will be available at the church service for people to take home, should they wish it.]

She received several medals from the Government of Ukraine for her humanitarian and philanthropic work to support the Ukrainian people and the soldiers, as well as after the invasion of Ukraine in 2014. She and Pan Korbutiak sent many large packages, containing wheelchairs from Hope International, clothes, necessities, as well as financial help well into her and his elderly years! When asked why she was still doing that work, she said, "The young people do not want to step up."

She sponsored her parents to come to Canada as well as several other members of her family. She took care of her aging parents, including taking her mother in to live with her, until she could no longer lift her. She took great care of her partner, Mirko, and he took great care of her. She worked so hard that self care meant nothing, and eventually she got very sick.

She was strong minded, super independent, stubborn at times, courageous, blatantly honest, overly protective, caring for her children and others. One of her old friends once said: "Your Mother always speaks the truth." 

She was Spiritually gifted, seeing the ancestors on Haida Gwai territory in 2000, seeing her son Wally appearing to her on her street after he died in Bunibonibee First Nation, trying to save his friend from going under the ice, and seeing her Father. On her deathbed, whether you choose to believe this or not, were loving, white light Spirits, surrounding her, as was witnessed by her daughter and corroborated by Yaroslava herself--she knew and shared that she knew.

The final teaching she gave others is to: "ALWAYS, ALWAYS THINK OF OTHERS AND THEIR SUFFERING," "ALWAYS SERVE" and not just people, but serve the animals, the trees, the lakes/water, the flowers, and re-claim sovereignty by growing your own garden and taking care of Mother Earth. 

The animals were never afraid of her and she was never afraid of them: a wild pig would snort at her on the way to school and every morning she would reply, "Good Morning," and respectfully bow to him--she said the pig would never charge at her (probably sensed she was no threat being only a child).  In the Rockies she walked right up to a huge black bear without fear until her daughter stopped her (kids, don't try this at home!). Birds flew near and on her, rabbits never ran away, and owls protected her home. When asked once if she was afraid after getting lost at Birds Hill, she said: "Never be afraid of the forest, Olya. I became afraid only when I stumbled upon the highway at night."

Overcoming Adversity/Sharing Truths 

Life in Canada was exceptionally difficult. She endured physical and emotional abuse from her husband, who beat her regularly; racist, discriminatory actions from people and institutional practices; discrimination and intimidation in the work place and in society towards a woman raising two children and who had "an accent," and major betrayal by close ones. At work for CIBC, she said co-workers hid her keys and constantly put her down, especially about her accent. Even the church turned a blind eye to her plight and poverty in her early years in Canada, knowing and yet remaining silent, as did some fellow parishioners.

Over time with the abuses, she shared what happened, not at first but eventually, since there CANNOT BE A VEIL OF SILENCE in our families! And then she forgave.

Over time with the racism, discrimination, sexism, she shared what happened, since there CANNOT BE A VEIL OF SILENCE in our Society! And then she forgave.

Over time with the betrayals, misrepresentations, and abuse, she shared what happened, since there CANNOT BE A VEIL OF SILENCE in our relationships!

And then she TRULY forgave, and asked for forgiveness too, in her spoken words, a few hours before her death, as was witnessed by Father Bohdan Borowec and Lama Kunga Lhamo (Ollie, her daughter), when together they performed Last Rites, to peacefully help her journey to her next stage.  She understood what was meant by
"There can be no reconciliation without truth" and there can be no peace without forgiveness. 

Gratitude to Lifetime Friends

She loved her friends and appreciated their support through the hard times. There were many friends, whom she called "Family."

Pani Danka Stanowych
Pani Anna Federkevic and the entire Federkevic Family
Pani Rozumna
Mr Eddy, who brought her fish, honey, fresh food
All her tremendously beautiful, thoughtful Neighbors, who live in each of the 4 directions around her house, and whom she loved so much--you know who you are! Thank you for being TRUE FRIENDS.
And so so many others...please forgive if your name was not mentioned (so many!) but you know who you are!
 

Gratitude to Family

Even though, as with many of our families, people come together and people drift apart. The reasons are many and they simply do not matter anymore except as teaching tools to strive to be better human beings. 

Yaroslava loved all of them in the Family!

Luba Demko, Sister
Julia Demko, Sister-in-law
Zofia Kitasz, Kooma
Cheshka Kitasz, Kooma

Nieces/Nephews + Their Children

Mira and Jozef Demko
Weronika (nee Demko) + Jerzy Noga, with Olena, Maria  
Krystyna Demko + Yurij Hnatiuk with Sofija
Orest Demko
Luba + Alexander Demko with Victoria, Paul
Nadia Demko + Artem Luhovy
Zena Szustakowski with children Isabel, Robert, Paul and Vanessa
Mirek Kitasz
Steve Hruden
Lesia and Al Jensen with Hanne, Emma and Mya
Maria and Jeff Kozak with Aidan and Kaylee
Taras Kitasz and the entire Nikitas Family (Tina Nikitas-Kitasz)
Peter (Godson) and Sheryl Lohaza with...
Ihor and Daria Cap with Simon (Godson)

 

Gratitude In Honor of Those in Family Who Passed Away

Yaroslava always remembered those who passed away and honored them.

Michael and Olena Demko
Walter Kitash, Son
Miroslaw Waplak, former partner
Jozef Demko (Sr.)
Maria + Stanislaw Demko
Emil Demko 
Virislav Demko 
Vera-Maria Demko 
Ivan Demko
Maria Furdyk (nee Kitasz), Niece
Catherine + Harry Hruden
Michael Kitasz, former spouse
George Kitasz
Ivan Kitasz


Gratitude of Supportive Help

Yaroslava was deeply grateful to: 

Dr Abdullatif Haresha, Family doctor + Close Friend, who actually did house calls for her; 

Dr Rabson, long time cardiologist, who was also her father's, Michael Demko's, cardiologist, vigilantly and meticulously watched over her situation; 

Emergency + ICU Staff @ HSC including Nurse Chantelle?, Emerg nurse and Yoga Guru; Dr Yan, who helped Ollie accept the truth of the situation, in a compassionate, caring way; Mom's ICU nurse, Deborah, who said she had never in her time in ICU seen such a peaceful death; 

Dr Peretz, who assisted in making it possible for her to live a bit longer; 

Courtney (homecare coordinator ACCESS on Henderson), Homecare Staff, and Lindsay, Occupational Therapist, all who came to help 5 weeks before she passed so that Yaroslava could continue living in her home with supports in place. 

She was also grateful to:

The late Dr Gorski

 To the late Dr Manswell, often saying that if it weren't for him she would have taken her own life. That is why she later in life told people: "GET HELP. IT'S NOT WEAKNESS, IT'S STRENGTH!"

She was deeply grateful for the spiritual support from:

Father Bohdan Borowec

Father Ihor Shved, whom she said was "the best thing to happen to Katedra in a long time"

Her daughter, Ollie, 

And so many other spiritual leaders in Poland, Ukraine, and Canada.

Details of Funeral Service

Panakhyda will take place on Friday, the 4th of July at 7:30 PM, approximately 2 hrs before Sunset at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church, 115 McGregor Street.

Divine Liturgy will take place on Saturday, July 5 at 9:00 AM, at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church, 115 McGregor Street, followed by trip to All Saints Cemetery, 4535 Main Street, asking Mother Earth to take my beautiful Mom to her bosom and in her nurturing, everlasting embrace.

Please note: The church will open its doors earlier for anyone, NOT JUST FAMILY, to have some quiet time before the service, for prayer, contemplation, or viewing, between 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM. on Saturday, July 5th, before the 9:00 AM service. No one will be excluded.

After the cemetery, please join in a feast to be held outdoors on the side of the church. If it rains, we'll wing it (right, Taras?!). 

Note: All leftover food to be shared with the elderly or anyone at the feast, and then with people living on the streets. Any volunteers would be appreciated to help Ollie distribute the food after.

Honorary Pallbearers

Yaroslava would be very grateful to the following  Honorary Pallbearers, representatives from Ollie's Spiritual Family who will be sitting with her:
Lama Brian McLeod, Buddhist Lama;
Elder Karen Barkman, Grandmothers' Council;
Elder Rosemary Miguez, Sundance Moonlodge Keeper, Artist;
Sonja Beaulieu, Pipe Carrier, Anishinaabe Language Keeper;
Heidi Schattschneider, Spiritual Sister, Old Friend;
Elder Ron Bell, Keeper of the Petroforms;
Elder Brian McLeod, Traditional Knowledge Keeper.

Pallbearers and Cross Carrier

Yaroslava would also be very grateful to the
following Pallbearers and Cross Carrier, and for inclusion of women into traditional male roles:
Steve Hruden, Nephew;
Jozef Demko, Nephew;
Mira Demko, Niece
Nelson Torres, Family Support Member;
Izabela Ola Madejczyk, Niece;
John Bartschak, one of Wally Kitash's best friends, son of Mrs Demko who passed away
AND  "Carrying the Cross":
Mariia Oleksii, Close Friend of Mrs Demko right up until her death.

Donations +/or Positive Action-Oriented Work

Any donations in honor of Yaroslava Demko and her life's work can be made to:
Humanitarian Organizations;  Ukrainian Schools and Culture; Women's Shelters--women/children who need safety and refuge; Any Animal Humane Society; Any Environmental Society or Planetary Cause for Mother Earth; Any Philanthropic Endeavor on the streets of Winnipeg or anywhere in the World; Any "Voice for the Voiceless" actions.

Any actions you privately already do or desire to do: Start a garden; Plant as many trees as possible on your property and elsewhere and get our Mayor to remember Winnipeg's tree planting goal; save animals; speak for wildlife; help wildfire evacuees; volunteer--anywhere!; protect Women, children, animals, trees, forests, rivers/lakes or any sentient being from abuse; Speak up and refuse the "veil of silence" in the face of abuse, racism, sexism, discrimination of any kind, particularly the vulnerable, such as elderly people; do anything that is good and true because:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke.

May Yaroslava's Demko's life, much of which, as with any of us, cannot be fully shared in this glimpse, nonetheless give hope and strength to all of you who are suffering.

May, all of You, be well and happy.

 

Alert: "Only get instructions/info on internet from Cropo or Winnipeg Free Press. Already scammers are trying to profit from my Mom's death so ignore echovita.com or other dodgy websites looking to scam. Be vigilant. echovita.com even wrote/added their own paragraphs to her obituary. Donate directly to legitimate organizations which touch your heart or to "those who serve" Mother Earth in a good, positive way, or do positive action-oriented work . Thank you and Metta. Yaroslava's daughter, Ollie"