Obituary of Mary Zahayko

ZAHAYKO - Mrs. Mary Zahayko (Tataryn) passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years at the Yorkton District Nursing Home with family at her side on June 16, 2011. Mary was the second child born to John & Apolina Tataryn on their homestead near Homefield, SK on October 17, 1910. At the age of 7 years she attended Nanton School which was located two miles west of their farm. In the winter she drove by horse and sleigh with her older sister, Anne to school; in the summer she walked barefoot to school. Her attendance at school was cut short when she had to help on the family farm by babysitting her younger siblings while her parents and older sister were out working in the field. She completed her grade seven and partial eight. In May 1928, Mary met Steve Zahayko, a local farmer and they were married on July 17, 1928, and settled on a farm in the Maxwelton School District, north of Fenwood, with her husband, parents-in-law, Elko & Catherine Zahayko, and Steve's brothers, Mike and John. Mary milked up to 15 cows a day in the summer and 6 cows during the winter months. During the summer months, Mary helped with the field work, picked stones, cleared trees, gardening, barn chores and housework, as well as raising a family of 5 children. In 1968 they moved to Yorkton. Mary worked as a housekeeper at the Holiday Inn and at the Yorkton Hotel for a few years. She cared for her husband and elderly parents in her home until their passing, and her granddaughter, Michelle, during the day time from 1972 - 1977. Mary was an extremely hard worker, passionate and caring woman, excellent cook and gardener and loved her family unconditionally. She was an active member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of St. Mary's UCWLC. At the age of 99 years, she entered the North Wing of the Yorkton District Nursing Home. This past October, she celebrated her 100th birthday. Mary was predeceased by her parents: John (1976), Apolina (1973); husband Steve (1974), infant son Edward (1936), son Mike (2011), grandson Neil Trevor (1971), son-in-law Mike Senchuk (1993); sisters: Anne Kowalyk, Josephine Spilchak, Sophie Chupa and brother Peter. Mary is survived by her daughters: Roseline (Harry) Lazurko and Minnie Senchuk and son Orest (Elizabeth) all of Yorkton, 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; sisters: Kay Dobko, Eva Signarowski and Rose Gillis and numerous nieces and nephews. Prayers were held on Sunday, June 19th at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton with Rev. Fathers Peter Pidskalny and Ray Lukie, C.Ss.R. officiating. The Holy Rosary, led by members of the UCWLC preceded the prayers. Requiem Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, June 20th at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Peter Pidskalny, C.Ss.R. as the Celebrant. The responses were led Ed Pindus, Colette Karapita & parish choir members. Serving as the cross bearer was Louise Callbeck and as epistle reader was Michelle Zahayko. Members of the UCWLC participated in an honour guard. Granddaughters, Louise Callbeck, Deanne Praski, Denise Hare and Michelle Zahayko were honorary pallbearers. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Grandsons, Ivan Sereda, Larry Lazurko, Leon Lazurko, Dwayne Lazurko, Richard Senchuk, Wayne Senchuk, David Zahayko and Cameron Zahayko serving as the casket bearers. Memorials in honour of Mary may be made to St. Mary's Church Building Fund or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Condolences to the family can be forwarded to www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery