Obituary of Malvina Trafananko

TRAFANANKO - Malvina Trafananko, resident of St. Paul Lutheran Home, Melville, formerly of Yorkton, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2006 at St. Peter's Hospital. She was 84 years of age. Malvina Maria Trafananko was born on April 1, 1922 in the Krydor district of Saskatchewan; the oldest of two brothers and a sister born to Mary (nee Wawryniuk) and Harry Charko. She was raised on the family farm, and as the oldest, would bring home candies and chocolate bars to her younger brothers & sister, as this was a big treat for them. Malvina attended school in the district before going to Saskatoon to attend Normal School, where she acquired her teaching certificate. Malvina began teaching at the Hawrylka farm school and the Orlow School in the Krydor/Blaine Lake area. Malvina then went to Calder to teach, and it was there that she met John Trafananko. They were married on October 12, 1947. The couple resided in Wroxton where John was a local businessman and Malvina commuted to Calder to teach. As her two sons, Myron and Dennis come into this world, Malvina retired from teaching and became a full time house wife. In 1967 the couple moved into Yorkton. On March 7, 1990 John passed away, following that time Malvina continued to reside in her home, and later with the assistance of her son Dennis, until July of this year, when she became a resident of St. Paul Lutheran Home. Malvina possessed a great love of art and literature during her life. In younger years she had attended the Emma Arts School at Waskesiu Lake and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Her love of poetry was evident as her writings won awards for their prose and style. She had an enduring talent and affection for painting, especially oil painting. She was also a perfectionist, as her yard in Yorkton was spectacular. Malvina had been a life-time member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and a long time member of Holy Transfiguration Parish. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Julian Charko, and a sister Levia Bahniuk. She leaves to cherish her passing: son Myron and his wife Cheryl of Melville and their daughters Chelsea and Christy; and son Dennis of Melville; a brother Eugene and his wife Louise Charko of Calgary; as well as many nieces, nephews and her many other relatives and friends. Prayers were held on Wednesday evening, November 29th from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton. The funeral service was held on Thursday, November 30th, 2006 from Holy Transfiguration Church with Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. Cantor, William Kozey was assisted by members of the Parish Choir. The crossbearer was Eugene Charko, the bannerbearers were Blaine Harlow and Jim Crouse. The interment took place in the family plot at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Myron, Dennis, Chelsea, Christy, Bob & Harold Trafananko serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home.