Sofia Surmai

Sofia Surmai passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2020 at Holy Family Home. Sofia leaves to cherish her memory her son, Mykola (Margarita), daughter-in-law Olena and grandchildren, Nazar, Danika and Tiana.

Sofia was born in selo Berehove, oblast Lvivska, Mostyski region, W. Ukraine. She grew up in a poor family and learned to appreciate simple things in life from a very young age.  Throughout her young years Sofia enjoyed reciting poetry and dancing. To escape a mandatory collective farm work at her village, she applied and was successfully accepted to a post-secondary school in Lviv. Working during the day and attending school in the evening was a new and exciting time period for Sofia in Lviv where she eventually met her future husband Vasil.

Sofia came to Canada in 1988 with her husband Vasil and son Mykola and was later joined by her son Andriy and his family. Sofia was employed by Naleway Foods where she worked for 10 years until being forced to retire due to her medical condition. Throughout her working years she regularly provided financial assistance to her relatives in Ukraine

Sofia was a caring wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending time with her family. Many were enriched by her calm and simple nature. Sofia expressed love and caring in her own unique way manifesting her love through daily prayers for her family and loved ones.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the nurses, health care workers and the staff for their very professional and loving care of her at Holy Family Home.

Because of Covid restrictions, a private family service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 4 at Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 965 Boyd Ave. Interment to follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT.