Obituary of SISTER CECILIA FYSTOR, SSMI

1933 – 2023

          Sister Cecilia Anne Fystor passed peacefully at Bethany Home in Winnipeg, on January 26, 2023 surrounded by her Sisters. She was 89 years old and 69 years in religious life.

          Anne (Sister Cecilia) was born on December 25, 1933, in Warwick, Alberta, daughter of Onufrey and Helen (nee Zacharuk).  Her parents and elder sister, Doris, immigrated to Canada from Sniatyn, in Western Ukraine, settling north of Vegreville in Warwick. Anne graduated from high school in Vegreville.

          Hearing within her the call to serve, Anne entered the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate on June 29, 1953, taking the name Sister Cecilia. She pronounced her first vows on December 31, 1955 and her perpetual vows August 15, 1959.

          Sister Cecilia attended Teachers’ College in Toronto in 1956 - 1958. She taught middle grades and high school for ten years, before completing her BA at U Saskatoon in 1968. This was done through a year of studies as well as summer courses. She completed her post-graduate in Ontario.

          Sister Cecilia taught in a classroom setting for 29 years. She taught in the sister’s schools Ancaster, Winnipeg and Yorkton as well as Catholic schools, in Ancaster, Toronto and Vegreville.

          Along with teaching in schools, Sister Cecilia was involved in parish work, teaching catechism and Ukrainian School. After retiring from school teaching, she found her heart was in religious education. No doubt this love was deepened by a year of studies she took in the Holy Land and studies in Eastern Christianity at Mount Tabor, California. In her parish ministry, she was well known and loved in New Westminster, BC and Regina. With further discernment, Sr. Cecilia volunteered to work with our Ukrainian people in the eparchy of Australia. Sister Cecilia served faithfully in Australia for 15 years. She shared her gifts and love of her faith with the people in Geelong, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.

          Sister Cecilia flowed with life in abundance and generosity of heart as she also served in leadership for the Sisters homes in Vegreville, New Westminster, Regina, Perth and Brisbane for a total of 23 years. She held a principalship at Mount Mary Academy in Ancaster, and substituted as Novice Directress for a short term as well.

          Her summers were spent taking summer courses, teaching in Ukrainian catechetical camps in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan or teaching summer catechism in various parishes. She also worked with Ukrainian youth CYM in England and Australia. She simply loved working with young people!
          Her holiday time was most frequently devoted to visiting her aging parents. Since her family was quite small, time spent with her family was precious and especially valued by them. At other times, she enjoyed taking enrichment courses in spirituality, particularly Eastern Theology and Spirituality, Christology, Scripture, Catechetics, Iconography, Counselling, pedagogy – including for special-needs, facilitation, computers, art, and charism and renewal workshops.

          Sister Cecilia moved to Bethany Home for her remaining years, where amidst her hearing loss, she lived her contemplative, prayerful presence of a loving caring heart in a way that was felt by many. Much gratefulness to her care givers that provided her with compassionate care.

          Sister Cecilia was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Onufrey, her sister Doris and brother-in-law John Hryciw, nephew Alfred Hryciw, great-nephew Danny Stefanyk and nephew-in-law Jack Littlejohn. She is survived by her beloved nieces Linda Stefanyk and Margaret Littlejohn, great-nieces Alexandra and Makenzie Hryciw, and various other family members.

          Funeral Services were held at Bethany Home with Bishop Peter Stasiuk, C.Ss.R. and Bishop Andriy Rabiy officiating. Interment in Holy Family Cemetery.

          Charitable Donations may be made through Lubov SSMI Foundation to HFH, IHMS or SSMI

May Sister Cecilia’s memory be eternal!

Вічна їй пам’ять!