Anna Senyk

It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearest Mom, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother on May 10th, 2025, with family by her side, in her own home.  She was endearingly known as Babunia by her Great-Grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, Petro and Maria, older brothers Teodor and Stephan, and younger sisters Emilia, Nadia and Maria-Magdalina, all of Ukraine. In Canada, by husband Fabian.

Anna is survived by her children, Steve (Nellie), Slowka, John, Teresa (Chuck), her Grandchildren, Heather (Tom), Tim (Jaimie), Stephanie, and Russell (Jolene).   As well as many Great-Grandchildren, Callie, Laycee, Ella, Anna, Ava, and Everly.  Plus, many nieces and nephews in Ukraine and Spain.

Anna was born on April 15th, 1923, in Western Ukraine, Oblast Lviv, Celo Chemeryntsi. She was raised in a dirt-floor farm house just outside the village. Poverty was everywhere, times were very difficult in those days. She learned the power of faith and perseverance during those times. At the age of 18, in 1941, she left home to work on a farm in West Germany. She spent 3 ½ years labouring on that farm, basically forced labour, witnessing gun battles and hearing bombs explode, until the war ended in 1945.

After that, she stayed in a displaced persons camp, where she got moved around. Finally, she was placed in a camp that was all Ukrainians. There she met Fabian, a farm boy from Western Ukraine who was also in a forced labour camp under the Germans. It was in 1947 they got married, then in 1948 while in the camps, first born son Stephan was born.

By 1950 the opportunity to emigrate to Canada arose.  Fabian had been there for one year working in order to sponsor and Anna and son.

The long journey began by ship to Halifax, then by train to Winnipeg, then Lac Du Bonnet. It was then they took a bush plane to Bissett, Manitoba.

The family was once again together, and enjoyed the next 5 years in Bissett.  In those 5 years three more children were born, Slowka, John and Teresa.

By 1961 Anna and Fabian decided to move to Winnipeg.  They chose and purchased a house in East Kildonan, which they thought was a good area to raise their children.

She attended Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Parish, where she remained a devoted parishioner until her passing.

Around this time she started employment outside of the home. Her first part time job was cleaning private homes, then in the housekeeping department at the Winnipeg General Hospital.  She then got a job at Wilson’s Auto-Electric in East Kildonan, where she loved the job and made many new friends.  She stayed employed there for 27 years before retiring at 71 years of age.  Being the oldest female to ever work at Wilson’s.

Fabian started to fall ill, due to a stroke, and she took care of him for the 3 years before his passing in 1982.  This took a big toll on her and she courageously persevered thru the challenging times.

A couple years later, at 65 years of age she got her drivers license.  She was so happy with this new found freedom, she enjoyed taking her friends out for coffee, shopping and to church. She loved every moment.

In retirement, she loved to stay busy. She loved her home, and enjoyed spending time there and taking care of it for the past 64 years.  She loved to travel out West  by car, then later by plane to Kelowna, Vernon, Calgary, and anywhere else her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren were. She just loved life.

Anna loved gardening and always had and was known for her large and beautiful gardens.  At the age of 94 she still loved to get out into her garden.  It was a way of life for her.

She liked to cook huge meals for holidays and special events.  The house was always full of friends and family and full of love.

Anna had a very strong work ethic, strong faith, and always had a positive attitude that helped her deal with the many challenges life threw at her.  We all love her dearly and she will be missed immensely.

The family would like to thank Dr. Christine Duprat and Nurse Pam for their sincere and kind care they lovingly gave to Anna.

We also would like to thank the Transcona Regional Home Care case coordinator, Dorotta Marzec and all the homecare aids who attended and cared for Anna.

A special thank you to the Pallbearers, Tim Senyk, Stephanie Hoffman, Adam Osswald, Mathew Osswald, Tom Kufeldt, Ruslan Haletsky.

Prayers for Anna will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 at 7 p.m. at Holy Eucharist Parish 505 Watt St, Winnipeg, MB

Funeral Liturgy will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 9 a.m. at Holy Eucharist Parish, 505 Watt St, Winnipeg, MB with reception to follow with interment at All Saints Cemetery.

Officiated by Fr. Michael Winn

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ukrainian charity of ones choice.

Vichnaya Pamyat!