Obituary of MAYA (MAINA) KIRICHENKO
MAYA (MAINA) KIRICHENKO
With profound sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Mama, Babunia and Great Babunia Maya Kirichenko on March 27, 2018 at the age of 91. Maya was born on October 25, 1926 in the city of Sloviansk, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine to Mykhaijlo and Efrosinia (Shatrova) Solomenko and was sister to Nadia and Tamara.
Maya was an extraordinary woman with a strong, courageous spirit and a gentle, loving heart. She was modest, humble and always put the needs of others before her own. Maya overcame many struggles during her lifetime, including war, surviving the Ukrainian Holodomor-famine 1932-33, being separated from her family at the tender age of 15 when she was taken as a slave labourer to work in a German war factory. She met her husband, Volodymyr, in a displaced persons camp in Mittenwald, Germany and together with their young son, immigrated to Canada in 1950.
Along with a strong faith in God, she persevered with hard work and determination, to provide a good life for her family. She was always grateful for every blessing she received during her lifetime. She was a kind, compassionate friend to many, and was a long-time volunteer in her church. Maya was a skilled seamstress in her younger years. She made the most delicious borsch and we always looked forward to enjoying her honey cake at Christmas and tasty paska at Easter.
Flowers bloomed under Maya’s green thumb and many flower seeds were shared from her garden with others. Her vegetable garden was tended with great care and we enjoyed its harvest bounty. She baked many traditional Ukrainian wedding breads (korovai) and took great care in decorating them. Maya spent many happy hours at the lake (Veselka) enjoying time with her family. She loved watching wildlife and listening to the birds.
Maya had a great sense of humour and wit; she loved to laugh and always had a story to tell. The true joy of Maya’s life was her family. We will always cherish her tenderness and great love for us.
Predeceased by husband, Volodymyr, left to cherish Maya’s memory is son, Eugene(Karen), daughters Nadia (Andrew), Zina(Don), grandchildren Maryna, Adam(Chris), Tymon(Ashley), Chris, Christine, Michael. Great grandchildren Oksana, Kayda, Quinn, Joshua, Seanna and Brooke. She is also survived by family in Ukraine.
Heartfelt thanks to Drs. T & A Babick, Holy Family Home, St. Mary’s Unit staff for lovingly caring for Maya in the last year. Panakhyda will be sung Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m., Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated, Wednesday, April 4, 11:00 a.m. both at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 820 Burrows Ave. Interment to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens.
VICHNAYA PAM'YAT
ETERNAL MEMORY