Maria (Pawlenko) Bontey

Maria Bontey (nee Pawlenko )

March 14, 1923 – December 10, 2018

With heavy hearts we are sorry to announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother Maria on December 10th.  After a long life of 95 years she passed peacefully in her sleep.  She is predeceased by her husband Andrew in 1989.

Maria was born in Ukraine in 1923.  She survived the Holodomor and a German war camp where she met her future husband, Andrew.  With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Nazarewich of Tolstoi who sponsored them to Canada, they were able to start a new life. 

Together they embraced Canada and became members of the Ukrainian community in the north end of Winnipeg.  Maria was a hard worker, taking positions at Rae and Jerry’s and later at various sewing factories.  She also spent many volunteer hours at Holy Trinity church with the women’s group making perogies, while her leisure time was spent keeping her hands busy with petit point and gardening.  She will be remembered as a “tough cookie” with a soft heart. 

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Nadia Duncan, her son Bohdan ( Linda ), grandchildren Dean and Lance ( Irene ), Natalia ( Paul Gorman ) and Andrew, her great grand children Arilyn Duncan and Killian Gorman and great- great grandson Shaydin Gendemann. 

We want to thank Holy Family for the excellent care and compassion that Maria received in the last 3 years. 

The funeral service, officiated by Fr. Eugene Maximiuk, will be held on Tuesday December 18th at 10:00 am 2018 at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main Street, with interment and reception at Glen Eden cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Holy Family Home,165 Aberdeen Ave, Winnipeg, R2W 1T9.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT

KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL

(204) 956-2193

www.korbanchapel.com