Obituary of LEONA RADCHUK

LEONA RADCHUK (nee KOSJAR)

October 30th, 1931 – November 28th, 2024

We sadly announce the passing of our mother (aka Moo Moo Bear, Moomie Bear) and Baba.

Leona leaves to mourn her daughters Julie and Natalie, granddaughters Kristen and Lauren (Nathan). She was pre-deceased by her husband Serge, on September 22nd, 2021.

Mom was born in the village of Morozivka, Vinnytska Oblast’, Ukraine. She had a difficult childhood due to political persecution, with her daily life under Soviet occupied Ukraine and collectivization. She witnessed firsthand as her father and paternal grandfather were imprisoned and subsequently sent to Siberia just prior to WW2.

Leona learned at an early age how to become resourceful with what you were given. The family had their own garden, along with fruit trees and a few domestic animals. Her mother was an excellent cook and passed along many traditional recipes to Leona, who also continued to prepare them for her family.

When Nazi soldiers invaded Ukraine, one of the soldiers took over their family home, and at the same time, Leona’s father (one of the lucky few) returned from Siberia. Leona’s mother made the difficult decision on behalf of her family, which was to flee their homeland.

A German soldier who was stationed in the family home advised the family to follow a very specific route in order to avoid the buried mines. The family’s journey was gruelling, especially when crossing the Carpathian Mountains. At some point during their travels, the two horses and their cart were sold in order to pay for food and meager rations.

Leona and her family (which included her father, mother, brother, paternal uncle and paternal grandmother) crossed the borders of Ukraine into Romania, Hungary, Germany and Denmark. They resided in a refugee camp In Copenhagen for 3 years before finally being granted visas to move to Canada.

Very soon after settling in Winnipeg, Leona’s parents and uncle found work, and Leona and her brother enrolled in school to learn the English language and complete high school. Our mother’s dream was to become a doctor, but due to lack of finances, she enrolled in the faculty of Science and then Education at the University of Manitoba, where she received her Bachelor’s degrees from both faculties.

During her summers, while she was in university, Leona worked at a dairy and then at Canada Packers. The money she saved helped to assist her family financially, and she was finally able to purchase her own car – a blue Pontiac. As a result, once Leona completed university, she was able to drive herself to and from her teaching position at Miles MacDonnell High School, where she primarily taught Chemistry and Physics.

Leona married Serge in 1957, and both of them lived with their family in the Garden City area until Serge’s passing in September of 2021.

Once Leona began raising her children, she gave up teaching but did not sit idle. She did some substitute teaching as well as tutoring.

Our mother forged her own path in life and accomplished much during her daughters’ formative years. Some noteworthy achievements included: founding member (and president for one year) of the Alpha Omega Women’s Alumnae; Division Commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada; School Trustee for the Seven Oaks School Division (she subsequently served as Chairman of the Board for four years); Board Member of the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation; Board Member of St. Andrew’s College as well as the College’s Foundation. Our mother even ran for city councillor during Winnipeg’s municipal elections.

Leona was also an active member of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral – specifically the Women’s League representative as an advisor for the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth Association as well as the Rozmai Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She held a special place in her heart for the Ukrainian Museum of Canada by donating her family’s vintage Ukrainian garments and embroidered pieces.

In 1978, our mother chose to return to full time work and was hired as the General Manager of Ukrainian Fraternal Society of Canada (UFS). She travelled across Canada to promote UFS and enjoyed meeting various branch members and managers.

In 1981 Leona completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology.

Leona’s pride and joy were her daughters. She was very practical in her approach to parenting, and taught by example. She definitely practiced what she preached. Her motto and continuous advice to her girls was to be independent and to be able to make a living on their own.

When Leona became a grandmother to her two beautiful granddaughters, she took on her new role with renewed pride and joy. Becoming a babysitter and chauffeur for the second time in her life came very easy for her. Her granddaughters often requested Baba’s buttermilk pancakes and cream of wheat ‘kasha’ and she always prepared them for her little girls. “ You’re a good cooker, Baba” was the best compliment ever. Our mother liked to do things her way, and the phrase “Baba bad” was often uttered by Kristen and Lauren when they would watch Baba in action.

The family would like to thank the nurses, healthcare staff, physio and occupational therapy staff, social workers as well as the doctors at Holy Family Home for all of the care, support and love they have provided for our mother. We are sincerely grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Holy Family Personal Care Home (Lubov Foundation), Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, Diabetes Canada, or the Winnipeg Humane Society.

A private family service and interment will be taking place.

Vichnaya Pamyat’. Memory Eternal.

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers”.