Obituary of Sophie Kozey

KOZEY - Sophie was born on March 3, 1912 near a small village of Chervonohrad, Ukraine. She was one of eleven siblings born to Mike and Eva Semchak, who were very poor farmers. Mom had a very tough childhood growing up in a house that had little to eat and at times nothing to eat. The great Ukrainian famine (Holodomor) broke out and shortly after that the war started which made matters worse. Her dad died at a young age leaving behind a wife and 11 children. Some of the children had no choice but to flee the country and leave their family; mom was one of them. Some of her siblings escaped to England, Canada, different parts of Europe and mom made it to France. She lived and worked for a wealthy farmer for many years until their house burnt down and he died. Once again mom had to flee but this time to Canada to the farm of Julia and John Pawliski, her sister and brother-in-law. It was at this farm that she met dad. Dad and grandpa Kozey came to Aunty Julia's for a load of hay in the month of September. Dad met mom there and they had a brief conversation. On the way back to their farm with the load of hay, dad asked grandpa if it would be okay if he asked her on a date. Three days later they were engaged and on September 21, 1947 they got married. They started their married life together on a farm 3½ miles south of Jasmin. They were soon blessed with five children Ostap (late Sonja) of Melville, Ann (Mike) Daneluk of Yorkton, Dan (Joyce) of St. Albert, Mervin (Clair) of Fort Saskatchewan and Andy (Patsy) of Deer Valley. Even though they endured many hardships, they continued farming and living on the farm until 1957 at which time they moved their house to Jasmin. Mom continued to raise the children and help on the farm as much as she could. She had a huge garden and a yard full of flowers that she enjoyed very much. In 1974 they once again moved their house but this time to Ituna. Once again mom had dad make her a huge garden that she loved tending to. Mom lived at home with dad until her failing health forced her to move into the Ituna Pioneer Lodge in 2008. Throughout her life mom was a very kind, gentle and loving woman. Her husband, children and grandchildren meant everything to her. Material things never mattered to her as long as you were healthy and happy you had everything. She loved her faith, church and people around her. Even though her childhood was filled with hardship and sorrow she was very successful in making those around her happy. Sophie entered into eternal rest on Christmas Day, January 7, 2011 at the age of 98 years. Sophie was predeceased by her mother, father and 10 siblings, husband Walter (2008), nephew Patrick (1982), daughter-in-law Sonja (2002), great grandson Avery (2006) and many in-laws. Sophie is survived by her 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Prayer services were held on Wednesday evening, January 12, 2011 and the funeral service was held on Thursday morning, January 13, 2011, all from Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ituna. Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasyenko officiated. Cantor, Jason Kopan led in the singing of the responses. The sacristan was Peter Kwasnitza, the crossbearer was Nestor Kozey, and Kelly Turchak and Treena Touchette were the bannerbearers. The interment took place in the Parish Cemetery with Jason, Nathan, Dustin and Colin Kozey, Tammy Tagawa and Sheri Colletti serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Thursday, January 13th, 2011 10:00am, Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Holy Ghost Parish Cemetery - Ituna