It is with great sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our Mama, Babcia and PraBabcia - Marie (Maria) Choptianyj - on Monday, May 2, 2022, at Holy Family Home with family by her side after just celebrating her 97th birthday. Marie was predeceased by her mother Anna, father Stefan, sisters Sofia, Olha and Petrunela (Ukraine) and brother Walter (Winnipeg) and by her husband Nicholas.
Marie was born on April 30, 1925 in Ustryki Dolni, Ukraine. She was forced to leave her family by the German occupiers at the very young age of 16 along with her younger brother Walter. She and her brother were eventually separated and Marie continued to navigate the horrors of the Second World War on her own. She was taken to work in a tobacco factory in a forced labour camp in Germany. While in Germany she met her husband and the love of her life Nicholas (Nick) Choptianyj. They were married in a displaced person's camp and in 1946 their son Ihor (Thor) was born. On November 17, 1948, the family of three arrived in Winnipeg.
Marie leaves to cherish her memory her children, Dr. Ihor (Thor) Choptiany (Chrystyna) and their children Ariadna Choptiany, Dr. Maxym Choptiany (Dr. Lindsay Taam), Dr. Platon Choptiany (Rowena and great-grandchildren Felix and Luka) and Renata Ryall (Jeffrey Ryall and great-grandchild Artem); Dr. Bohdan (Bob) Choptiany and Oksana Choptiany (John Bogucki) and their children Brianna Bogucki (Stephen Erickson) and Laryssa Bogucki (Dr. Rahul Jayas).
She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews Dr. Terry Chlysta (Sharon) and their children, Dr. Walter Chlysta (Lisa) and their children, Dr. Dana Chlysta and her children, Dr. Lesia Chlysta and her daughter and numerous relatives in Ukraine, Canada and the U.S.A.
The family would like to extend their sincere and utmost thanks to the staff of Holy Family Home and in particular to the staff of the St. Paul’s Unit on 3CS for the loving care and compassion that they gave to our Mama. She loved them as much as they loved her. In addition, the family would also like to thank Dr. Terry (Taras) Babick for looking after our Mama all these years and taking such good care of her.
Prayers will be sung at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022, at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St., Winnipeg. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, 115 McGregor St. Interment to follow at All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in Marie’s memory may be made to The Ukrainian Canadian Congress in support of aid to Ukraine.
CHRYSTOS VOSKRES