Marta (Yurkevych) Ruday

Marta Ruday was born in 1940 in selo Nosiv; a small village in Western Ukraine to Stefan and Evhenia Yurkevych.  At the age of nine months old, her father Stefan was drafted into the army and tragically perished, leaving behind Marta and her mother Evhenia. Eight years later her mother remarried to Wasyl Kushlaba, as the family grew she was blessed with two sisters Anna and Mariyka and brother Volodymyr.

Life in her small village was filled with joyous memories of playing with her siblings in the family orchard, roaming the village hills as well as helping out with daily farm chores. Growing up during those times was not easy, however she was raised in a loving and caring family with Christian values, and Marta cherished these values throughout her lifetime and instilled the same in her children.

She met her sweetheart Arsen Ruday at the age of 16 and was married two years later on Zeleni Sviata on June 1, 1958. Upholding Ukrainian wedding traditions, she dressed in full Ukrainian attire and along with her bridesmaids walked the village to personally invite every guest. With little money for luxuries, Arsen commissioned their wedding rings from the local blacksmith to be made from brass shell casings left behind from World War II.  She reminisced often about her wedding day festivities held in the family orchard with lilacs in full bloom.

A year later, they welcomed their first child, daughter Nadia, and two years later their son Ehor. At the age of 28, Marta was pleasantly surprised with the arrival of twin daughters, Halia and Tania. Raising a young family was difficult enough, yet in addition she looked after her paternal grandfather who lived with the family until the age of 105. Marta continued throughout her lifetime to always help out those in need with compassion, understanding and kindness.

Her husband's parents, Wolodymyr and Ewdokia Ruday already living in Canada were greatly missing their only son and his family, and in 1977 were successful in sponsoring the young family to join them in Winnipeg. Tragically, her husband Arsen passed away three months prior to their departure and Marta was faced with the difficult decision to leave the life and family she knew, in order to provide a better future for her children. It took courage and sacrifices for a young widow with four children to a start a new life in a new country, for which we are all forever grateful.

The family arrived in Canada October 10th, 1977 and her story begins anew.  To provide for her family, Marta took on various jobs until she secured a job in the housekeeping department at Holy Family Nursing Home. She made many lifelong friends there and truly enjoyed her job. She was forever grateful to her friend Antonina Szumik for finding her the job and family friendship that developed.

 Family was the most important thing to Mom, raising her children and ensuring they had opportunities for education and that they valued their Ukrainian heritage. When the twins quickly started losing their native language, it became law in the Ruday household to speak Ukrainian, followed by a quick enrolment in Ukrainian School. There was little time for rest for Marta, as most weekends were spent helping her in- laws on the hobby farm in Hadashville. She enjoyed gardening, cooking her famous borshch, chicken soup and varenyky, skills that she passed on to her children and grandchildren through many perogy making workshops.

 As Marta's family grew and her children married, her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother. She was an amazing Baba, full of patience and love with a unique bond with each of her grandchildren. In 1996 her sister Anna arrived in Canada, also a widow. Mom was happy to have her sister with her until the end of her days as her companion. We are very grateful for her support with mom throughout the many years; they were a great team together.

 In 2000 at the age of 60, Marta took early retirement and it was her greatest pleasure to look after her grandchildren and watch them grown up. Retirement life provided her the opportunity to finally enjoy some 'Me' time, including travel and visiting family in Ukraine.

 During this past year, Marta’s health declined quickly however she never complained, she made the best of life and never gave up. She touched the lives of so many people with her gentle smile, grace and kindness, always putting the needs of others before her own.  She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.

Marta was predeceased by her father Stefan Yurkevych, stepfather Wasyl Kushlaba , mother Evhenia Kushlaba, brother Volodymyr,  and her beloved husband Arsen and his parents Wolodymyr & Ewdokia Ruday.

She is survived and will be forever missed by her children Nadia Melnycky (Peter), Ehor Ruday (Olenka), Halia Duplak (Stefan) and Tania Ruday (Greg Hrycak) and sisters Anna Kouchnir and Mariyka Fatiuk. Grandchildren; Julian (Thea), Natalka (Jordan), Maksem (Tracy),Andrew (Sandra), Markian and Daria and extended family in Ukraine.

We would like to take this opportunity for a special thank you to mom’s homecare providers who truly made a difference and made it possible for mom to remain at home. The final days at Health Science Centre were difficult ones and we are forever grateful to all the staff on the ward and in MICU for their compassionate care. Our sincere thank you to Rt. Rev. Msgr. Mitrat Michael Buyachok for officiating the Divine Liturgy and visiting Mom in the hospital.

Prayers will be held Friday at 7:00 p.m. October 25th, followed by Divine Liturgy on Saturday October 26th at 10:30 am at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 115 McGregor St., Wpg. MB. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Project Liubov-Love (Aiding Underprivileged Children in Ukraine) Tax receipt provided.

Vichnaya Pamyat