Obituary of Irene Kunyckyj

KUNYCKYJ: Irene Kunyckyj (nee Szechowycz) of Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, December 1, 2017, at the age of 95. Her childhood and early adulthood years were spent in Ukraine where she met and married Theophan Kunyckyj. Their life was subsequently turned upside down by WWII after which they immigrated to Australia with children Lana and George and then to Canada in 1954. They spent ten years in southern Ontario before moving to Brandon in 1964. Irene's life revolved around family, community, and her church where she was an active member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church. She loved her time spent at Clear Lake and Falcon Lake with family. Babi, as she was affectionately known, spent countless hours attending sporting events, music recitals and performances of grandchildren and great grandchildren upon whom she doted. She was a willing and enthusiastic volunteer in many endeavors. She had the gift of connecting with people of all ages and walks of life. She made everyone feel welcome and comfortable in her home. All who knew her felt her warmth. She was predeceased by husband Theophan in 1982. She is survived by her daughter Lana (Bill) Myers and their children William, Christine, Peter and Melanie and her son George (Elizabeth) and their children Mark and Stephen and nine great grandchildren. She had a long and ultimately fulfilling life and she will be sorely missed by her extended family and community. Special thanks to the staff of Rideau Park Personal Care Home for the exemplary care Irene received in her final years. Divine Liturgy will be said on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Avenue, Brandon, MB. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Irene may be made to St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Ave., Brandon, MB, R7A 0G7 or Rideau Park Personal Care Home, "Recreation Department", 525 Victoria Ave. East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6S9.