Obituary for Josefina Lukianiuk (Wasilkowsky)
Josefina Lukianiuk (née Wasilkowsky)
October 10, 1930 – March 11, 2022
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our family matriarch.
Born in very humble circumstances, amid shifting borders, political upheaval and famine, she grew up during the Second World War. Hard times forced her parents and her eight younger siblings to emigrate to many countries – from Ukraine to Romania through Germany to Austria, Czechoslovakia, and three different displaced persons' camps in Italy. In one of these camps, she became a mother at just 18 years old.
After a brief time in Australia, she brought her daughter, Mary, to Canada, with nothing but her incredible will to live. In Canada she met the love of her life, John Lukianiuk, and together they would welcome their son, Bill. They put down roots on Duncan Road, Richmond Hill, and built two homes; symbols of their hard work, ambition, and love for their children.
Josefina was called Baba by many who knew her. She frequently insisted, "You don't have to be hungry to eat!" She was amazingly generous to her family, many friends, and neighbours who became family. No guest ever left Baba's home with an empty stomach or a heavy heart, especially after one of her legendary family parties. From her gardens, her kitchen and her pockets, whatever she had she was happy to share.
Fearlessly independent and adventurous, Baba was up for anything – including smuggling money in the heels of her shoes to her father-in-law in repressive Soviet-occupied Ukraine. In four trips from 1971-1974, she managed to bring enough money to help him build a comfortable home.
Funny, irascible, unschooled but fiercely intelligent, she could happily converse in Ukrainian, English, Italian, German or Romanian, even if some of her tales came with a wink and a nod. Baba was always the heart and soul of any gathering.
Predeceased by her devoted husband John in 1985, Josefina was the beloved mother of Mary (Bill), Bill (Alison), proud Baba to Karen (Joe), Kristine, Patrick, Ivan and Katy, and prouder still great-grandmother to Malcolm, Cole, Cameron and Owen.
We are so grateful to have been inspired by her love. She is forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held at Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main Street South, Newmarket, on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, March 17 at 1 p.m. followed by interment at York Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
Click Here to Make a Donation
October 10, 1930 – March 11, 2022
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our family matriarch.
Born in very humble circumstances, amid shifting borders, political upheaval and famine, she grew up during the Second World War. Hard times forced her parents and her eight younger siblings to emigrate to many countries – from Ukraine to Romania through Germany to Austria, Czechoslovakia, and three different displaced persons' camps in Italy. In one of these camps, she became a mother at just 18 years old.
After a brief time in Australia, she brought her daughter, Mary, to Canada, with nothing but her incredible will to live. In Canada she met the love of her life, John Lukianiuk, and together they would welcome their son, Bill. They put down roots on Duncan Road, Richmond Hill, and built two homes; symbols of their hard work, ambition, and love for their children.
Josefina was called Baba by many who knew her. She frequently insisted, "You don't have to be hungry to eat!" She was amazingly generous to her family, many friends, and neighbours who became family. No guest ever left Baba's home with an empty stomach or a heavy heart, especially after one of her legendary family parties. From her gardens, her kitchen and her pockets, whatever she had she was happy to share.
Fearlessly independent and adventurous, Baba was up for anything – including smuggling money in the heels of her shoes to her father-in-law in repressive Soviet-occupied Ukraine. In four trips from 1971-1974, she managed to bring enough money to help him build a comfortable home.
Funny, irascible, unschooled but fiercely intelligent, she could happily converse in Ukrainian, English, Italian, German or Romanian, even if some of her tales came with a wink and a nod. Baba was always the heart and soul of any gathering.
Predeceased by her devoted husband John in 1985, Josefina was the beloved mother of Mary (Bill), Bill (Alison), proud Baba to Karen (Joe), Kristine, Patrick, Ivan and Katy, and prouder still great-grandmother to Malcolm, Cole, Cameron and Owen.
We are so grateful to have been inspired by her love. She is forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held at Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, 157 Main Street South, Newmarket, on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, March 17 at 1 p.m. followed by interment at York Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
Click Here to Make a Donation