Obituary of STEPHANIA "STELLA" SUCHYNSKY

Mom was born on the family homestead at Olha, Manitoba, of parents John C. Yanyk and Anna Woychyshyn. She attended Bradock (country) School till grade 8, and then Oakburn High School which required that she walk 3 miles to and from school. Mom, along with her older sister Emily (Sr. Josephine), had joined the Missionary Sisters of Christian Charity in Grimsby, Ontario, mom taking the name of Sr. Mary. But God had other plans for mom's life and led her to a different calling, that of wife and mother. Tat (dad), Nicholas Suchynsky, had been sponsored to Canada by a Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatchewan several years following WWII in order to cantor and teach Ukrainian, religion and choral church music. It was during the summer months when he was directing choir in mom's church that they met and fell in love, then married. They settled in Winnipeg and their first son Taras was born, only to die the next day. They had 5 more children whom they raised: Nadia, Darlene, Donald, Marie and Helen, and whom they sent to Immaculate Heart of Mary School wanting to ensure a faith based education. Their church life and faith was very important to the both of them, and Tat continued to cantor at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church and then St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church which they joined. Mom had joined the Ukrainian Catholic Women's (UCWL) league in 1956, and then also the Apostleship of Prayer. Mom would have been receiving her 65th year (UCWL) membership pin this February, 2021. Mom had many difficulties in her life which she always accepted without complaining. She became a care giver to Tat early in their marriage when stressors of Tat's life affected him. Despite having to additionally raise and care for 5 children, finances were such that mom had to work full time. Her kind heart lead her to a fulfilling career working as a Health Care Aide at St. Boniface General Hospital, starting on the Maternity Ward caring for the babies and moms which she loved, and then retiring on the 5E Geriatric Ward which she also loved.... caring for the elderly. Mom's work ethic was noted by all who worked with her, and mom's compassion towards the patients was always greatly appreciated by patients, their families and staff. Mom would like to have gone into nursing, but enjoyed her work as a Health Care Aide and found it very fulfilling and rewarding! Mom later also took on a part time job catering on weekends for extra income all while raising a family! It wasn't till later on, that mom was able to enjoy and develop some leisure activities, like taking ballroom dancing lessons … and then even being on TV wearing her ball gown and dancing; bowling on a bowling team and always maintaining good scores; watching a good movie like “The Ten Commandments.” Mom enjoyed socializing and visiting; music like Perry Como and choral church music; also just getting into the car and driving. Mom loved animals and on occasion one of us would bring home an animal. Mom especially loved babysitting her grandchildren.... drawing/coloring with them; showing them how to do things; and providing them with some sort of a treat or goodie.... and just laughing with them and enjoying life! Mom loved each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally.... from the time each of us were born right into adulthood..... a better role model and parent we could not have had! Mom always put others ahead of herself! Even though money was scarce, mom always ensured that our birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated; and that Ukrainian Christmas traditions were maintained, and that the family would enjoy her own homemade perogies, borscht and kutia at Christmastime along with bakings! Mom didn't have any of her siblings or extended family in the city with which to share preparations/baking and mom planned and carried out these events with much joy on her own! We still recall with our senses those Sunday lunches after church consisting of baked chicken, potatoes and veggies! Hmm! Mom always cherished having contact with her parents and siblings who were scattered across Canada, whether it was by phone or their yearly summer visits as they passed through Winnipeg when she and Tat hosted them. Vacations were always a family trip to the farm once every year or two to visit extended family, first on the Greyhound bus, and then later, after mom got her driver's license, mom drove! Mom and Tat also periodically loved to visit Don and his family in BC! Mom didn't like to see anyone struggle. She was always there to give a helping hand, whether it was driving grandkids to school or picking them up; cooking, baking, cleaning, organizing, mending, sewing, planting, gardening, cutting grass, painting, wall papering.... she did it all! She was even known to help strangers waiting for the bus on a cold winter day and driving them to their destination. Not only was mom generous with her time, but she was also generous financially... never keeping a tally of whether something was owed back to her. Mom was always there for us, whatever our need! Mom was our saving grace and our Saint! Mom was the 'rock' within our family... she held everything together! Even when she started being afflicted with dementia, mom kept this from us, wanting to protect us and spare us from the anguish and sorrow that she herself was suffering with! Mom, I wish you would have shared this so that you could lean on us... so that we could help carry you through the silent suffering! You didn't want to burden us! I wish you would have said something, so that the times you asked me, 'perhaps Tat and I could move in with you', I would have understood and said 'Yes' to your request! You kept your silent suffering between yourself and God! After Tat's death in October 2007 and just 2 weeks before mom and Tat's 54th Anniversary, it was becoming clear that mom could no longer continue living on her own. The decision was made that mom would live with Marie and Ed, and that mom would spend the weekends at Nadia's home. As mom's health declined further, she then moved into Holy Family Home (St. Francis Unit) in September of 2009. Like 'Footprints in the Sand', during your lowest and saddest times in life, and during the most troublesome times in your life, during your times of trial and suffering ….. when there was only one set of footprints, you understood that you were precious, and that you were loved, and that the Lord would never leave you; you understood that it was the Lord God who carried you through all the tough times in your life..... we saw, and we know, that it was your amazing level of faith that carried you through life's challenges, and finally through that devastating journey 'of no return with dementia... with Alzheimers..... a living death.' It was your daily attendance at morning Liturgy, that daily morning meeting with God, from whence you received your strength to persevere with all that would come your way in each and every day. Mom, you taught us to 'live each day to the fullest' and to 'Trust in Jesus' for it is Jesus who said 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6) Mom truly tried to live a love-filled life! Thank you mom, for always loving and being a support for Tat throughout his lifetime. Stella is survived by her children Nadia Malchuk, Darlene Joss, Donald Suchynsky (Karen), Marie Ziesmann (Edward), Helen Hunter (Curtis); by her grandchildren Angela DoCouto (Tony), Michael Malchuk, Dale Joss, Dawn Joss (Robert), Derek Joss (Shelly), Jeffrey Suchynsky, Britney Suchynsky, Ryan Suchynsky, Kristen Hunter (Phil), Stacie Hunter (Dane), Dylan Hunter; and great-grandchildren Marcus DoCouto, Maia DoCouto, Ariana Malchuk, Nicholas Uskalo, Vincent Uskalo, Isabella Spinks, Lola Joss; brothers Joseph Yanick and Eugene Yanyk (Leona); sisters Roxanne Warniski and Diane Novak, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Anna, her father John, and husband Nicholas; son Taras; great grandson Mattiaus DoCouto; siblings Joseph Yanyk and Sylvia Yanyk (in infancy); brothers Peter Yanyk (Mary), Maurice Yanyk, Walter Yanick (Mary); sisters Emily (Sr. Josephine) Yanyk, Margaret Verbowski (Mike) (Mike Sytnyk), Pauline Wenda (Steve), Olga Yanick; sister-in-law Shirley Yanick; brother-in-law William (Bill) Warniski. Pallberers: Michael Malchuk, Tony DoCouto, Curtis Hunter, Edward Ziesmann, Derek Joss, Myron Malchuk Honorary Pallbearers: Donald Suchynsky, Jeffrey Suchynsky, Ryan Suchynsky, Dale Joss, Dylan Hunter, Joseph Yanick, Eugene Yanyk, We would like to say 'thank you' on behalf of mom, and our entire family, those present here today –myself and my family, Darlene, Marie, and Helen and their families; and those who are unable to attend and are viewing on live streaming: son Donald (Bohdan) Suchynsky and wife Karen and family in BC; brother Joseph Yanick in Edmonton; brother Eugene Yanyk and wife Leona in Oakburn, MB: sister Roxanne Warniski in Winnipeg; and Sister Diane Novak in Toronto. We would especially like to thank Holy Family Home in care of Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate; the St. Francis staff, nurses and volunteers who truly loved mom as if mom were 'their own' parent or grandparent; and for those who helped bring mom some joy and a sense of being loved! For the spiritual support of the Sister Servants, and Redemptorist Fathers for Sunday Liturgies; Heartfelt thank you to Doctors Taras and Andrea Babick for their holistic caring of mom, and for always recognizing family as part of the team; a very special thank you to my daughter and mom's granddaughter Angela DoCouto for the beautiful Video Tribute of Mom's Life that she put together; thank you for Liturgy Offerings received from the St. Nicholas Apostleship of Prayer, the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, and for all the private individual offerings; thank you to the Cropo Chapel staff for the services rendered to mom, and especially noting a thank you for arranging the public viewing to be yesterday rather than today as planned; to the Basilian Fathers for their spiritual support and friendship throughout mom and Tat's lives; thank you to Fr. Isidore Dziadyk for officiating and prayers offered today and Anointing of the Sick on Wednesday; and to Fr. Zachary Shwaluk for the preparations at Holy Family Cemetery... mom's final resting place with Tat! The Family would like to express our gratitude for your many kindnesses evidenced in thought and deed. Thank you all for your prayers, love and support at this time and throughout mom's illness and suffering. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church or Liturgy Offering to 737 Bannerman Avenue, Winnipeg MB R2X 1J9 or to Holy Family Home, 165 Aberdeen Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2W 1T9. Baba, With a heavy heart, This is your new start. No more suffering and no more pain, You’re with Gigi once again. The memories we had which now become a treasure. The love you showed and gave, were far beyond anyone can measure. You’ll always have a piece of my heart A keepsake, from which I’ll never part…. Enjoy soaring over those mountains!!! Love Michael VICHNAYA PAMYAT! EVERLASTING MEMORIES!