Joan Sikorsky
Joan Sikorsky Obituary
Our beloved mother Joan, Emilian’s wife of 63 years, has left us for her new life. On December 30, after a sudden stroke, she passed away in our presence.
Throughout her life, her deeds spoke most loudly of her generous, loving, and always forgiving heart. In the few notes she left, she insisted on a brief obituary. She had crossed out the part she had written about her career in the civil service, of which her work in the Department of Citizenship and Immigration was a highlight. Her edited notes were most likely attributable to her characteristic modesty.
Joan was born on June 9, 1935, to immigrants Anna (Lytwyn) and Hryhorij Melnychuk, whose hard work helped establish St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, which became a keystone of her life and remained the heart of her much-loved community. She worked and laughed with the women of the UCWLC for over 60 years, holding a succession of executive posts and working countless volunteer hours. She also loved working with the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate and the Holy Family Home Auxiliary; in fact, she completed a volunteer job last week, contributing what she could as long as she could.
Her four children, Andrew, Christina (Thomas), Donna (Jason), Christopher (Gabriel), and her grandchildren, Anton, Alyna, Peter, Thomas, James, and Julian, can all draw on her strength, her profound faith, and boundless love in the days to come. We are so grateful that she lived in a community of so many kind friends. She was at peace as she left this world.
She drew constant strength and comfort in knowing and honouring the life of Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky, an exemplary life of faith and devotion. She asked that any donations in her memory be made to the Blessed Vasyl Martyr’s Shrine at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church or to the Lubov Foundation.
Divine Liturgy and Panakhyda will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Avenue. A private interment will follow.
Vichna ii pamiat’ – May her memory be eternal.