Obituary of Levina Wintonyk

WINTONYK - Levina Wintonyk (Nahnybida) late of Yorkton and formerly of Stornoway, passed away in the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, Morris House on February 13, 2012 at the age of 81 years. Levina was born in the Arran District on January 29th, 1931 to Yakim and Minnie Nahnybida and received her education at Podolia School. On July 16, 1949 Levina married Carl Wintonyk. Together Levina and Carl farmed and raised their family in the Stornoway District with their daughter Randy and son Brian. The family lived in Stornoway until 1972 when they retired to live in Yorkton. Levina and Carl were married for 43 years before Carl's death in 1992. They welcomed into their family Rex Goulden and Brian's first wife, and mother of three of Levina's grandchildren, Cheryl Wiley. Carl and Levina were beyond ecstatic when their grandchildren began to arrive. Baba and Gido spoiled, loved, and nurtured their grandchildren Pamela, Michelle, Tom, Alexa, Levi and Rachel. Levina was never happier than when her grandchildren were with her. It was well known in the family that once a grandchild or great-grandchild was at their Baba's - they would not willingly leave! In 1964 Levina registered with the Ukrainian Women's Association and was an active member until her health failed her. She served in many roles in this organization including: President, Vice-president, and Financial Secretary. In addition she was a Director and President of the Trident Ukrainian Orthodox Summer Camp at Crystal Lake, an Executive of Troyanda Dance and the Ukrainian Youth Group CYMK. She worked hard in any role she played in the organization, and in any task she was asked to do, whether it was helping teach Ukrainian and Sunday school, visiting parishioners in the hospital, embroidering blue on white in Celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of Ukraine's baptism, and in helping to organize the 1978 Western Premiers' Conference. Levina was always excited when she was thanked for her contributions, whether by a small child or by Saskatchewan Premier Blakeney or British Columbia Premier Bennett. In addition to the good work that the UWA contributed to the Church Community and to Yorkton, Levina found many great friends in this group. Levina was a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir for many years. Even when her strokes had impacted her memory in so many ways - when she was in church - she was still able to sing the hymns which were such a large part of her life. Levina lived a life full of family, laughter, friends and work. She was an amazing homemaker, cook, gardener, volunteer, mother, and Baba. No matter how many people were gathered at her home for a meal - there was always room for another guest. Her meals were amazing, not just for the mouth watering food - but for the friendship, laughter and love that was part of her home. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember the many treasured moments with Baba; raiding her garden, learning Ukrainian, making perogies, sharing "zerberts", watering flowers, and more recently running into Morris house calling "Baba, Baba, Baba." Levina was predeceased by her husband Carl, parents, Yakim and Minnie Nahnybida; her siblings Dorothy, Jean, Stella, Olga, Myroslow, Eugene, and Rudy. She leaves to honor her memory her children, Randy Goulden (Rex) and Brian Wintonyk (Aranka); her grandchildren Pamela Goulden-McLeod (Darrell), Michelle Goulden (Jamie Shullman), Tom Goulden (Jennifer); Alexa (Kurtis) Doerksen, Levi (Shawna) Wintonyk and Rachel Wintonyk; 14 great-grandchildren and her sister Sally Hubic. Prayer services were held on Thursday evening, February 16, 2012 and the funeral service was held on Friday, February 17, 2012, all from the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton. Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiated. Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitsky, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, led in the singing of the responses. The Cross bearer was Kathryn Goulden-Maddin, the Bannerbearers were Alexa Doerksen and Rachel Wintonyk. Members of the Ukrainian Womens Association of Canada, Olena Pchilka branch, Yorkton attended the service and formed and honour guard. Elsie Bilan was the flag bearer. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Tom Goulden, Levi Wintonyk, Larry Wintonyk, Tim Boulton, Darrell McLeod and Jamie Shulman serving as the casketbearers. Memorials were to the Olena Pchilka Branch of the Ukrainian Women's Association in Yorkton. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home (baileysfuneralhome.com) Service Information Friday, February 17th, 2012 10:00am, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery