Anna Drepko

Peacefully, on September 8, 2018, after a lengthy debilitating illness, Anna entered into God’s Kingdom. Anna was born in Novosilka, Ternopil, Western Ukraine, to parents Antin and Kateryna. At the age of 17, she was taken from her home and family by the German army, to work forced labour on a farm in Germany. She was liberated by the American army when the Second World War ended, and spent time in a DP camp in Germany. From there she immigrated to Paisley, Scotland, where she lived in a hostel with other young Ukrainian women, all of whom worked in a thread factory. When Anna married her husband Hryhorij, they settled in Oldham, England, where their daughter Maria was born. In 1952, Anna and her family crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Winnipeg, where their son, Myron was born. Beginning a new life in Canada posed many challenges, but Anna and Hryhorij worked tirelessly to provide a good life for their young family.

Anna was very proud of her rich Ukrainian heritage, culture and language. She spent any spare moment embroidering traditional Ukrainian designs. Some of her vyshyvky are at the University of Alberta at the Kule Folklore Centre. She also ensured that her children attended Ukrainian School (Ridna Shkola), Ukrainian dancing, CYM (Ukrainian Youth Organization), and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Anna was a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Institute Prosvita, the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, and Sts. Volodymyr & Olha Cathedral. In later years, she became a member of the Senior’s Club of Prosvita, where she loved to sing, dance and socialize. She also sang in the Dumka Choir.

She always yearned to return to Ukraine. In 1985, she was able to fulfill her dream. She reunited with her family in Ukraine for the first time after being apart for 50 years.

Anna was predeceased by her husband Hryhorij. She leaves to mourn her daughter Maria Stolarskyj, son Myron (Tania), grandchildren Laryssa, Teresa (Tim), Oleh, Kathryn (Jay), Alexa (Shane), great grandchildren, Luke, Sofia and Mia. Anna loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were her pride and joy.

The family thanks Drs. Terry and Andrea Babick for their wonderful care. Thank you to St. Joseph’s Residence for the exceptionally kind and compassionate care of our mom for the past 10 years.

Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Ave., followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Oleh Stolarskyj, Myron Pawlowsky, Shane Yanke, Tim Stokes, Jay Comeault, and Andrew Leskiw.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT

KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL

204-956-2193

www.korbanchapel.com

Biography:

Peacefully, on September 8, 2018, after a lengthy illness, Anna entered into God’s kingdom. She was born in Novosilka, in the Pidhaytsi region of western Ukraine, to Antin and Kateryna. At 17, she was taken from her home and family by the German Army to work as a labourer on a farm in Germany. 

In 1949, Anna met and married her husband, Hryhorij, who was residing in Oldham, England, and who was also from Novosilka. They lived in Oldham, and shortly after having their first child, Maria, the family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1952. It was here that their son, Myron, was born.

Beginning a new life in Canada posed many challenges, but Anna and Hryhorij worked tirelessly to provide a good life for their young family. Living conditions were paltry for a family who arrived with all their worldly possessions in one suitcase. They struggled, as work was hard to find, but Anna never complained. In 1960 they moved out of their rooming house in Point Douglas into their first home in the North End; then they later moved to West Kildonan, where Anna remained until she entered St. Joseph's Residence.

Anna was very proud of her rich Ukrainian heritage, culture and language. She spent her spare time embroidering traditional Ukrainian designs. Some of her vyshyvky are at the University of Alberta's Kule Folklore Centre. She ensured that her children attended Ukrainian school (ridna shkola), Ukrainian dancing, CYM (Ukrainian Youth Organization) and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. It was vital for her to be active in the Ukrainian community, primarily the Ukrainian Canadian Institute Prosvita, the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women and Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral.

Anna always yearned to return to Ukraine. In 1985 she was able to fulfill her dream, reuniting with her mother and family for the first time in almost 50 years. She made one more trip to Ukraine in 1992.

A remarkably resilient and hardworking woman, Anna took great pride in the upkeep of her house and garden. Being a wonderful cook, she entertained family and friends often. She loved to sing Ukrainian melodies while doing housework and to entertain her grandchildren, who were the joy and love of her life. She also enjoyed walking, dancing and socializing.

Anna was predeceased by her husband, Hryhorij. She leaves to mourn her daughter Maria Stolarskyj, son Myron (Tania), grandchildren Laryssa, Teresa (Tim), Oleh, Kathryn (Jay) and Alexa (Shane), and great-grandchildren Luke, Sofia and Mia.

Vichnaya Pam'yat