Mrs. Marijka Peniak's Obituary
PENIAK, Marijka Christina
Passed away peacefully on Monday, June 13, 2016. Marijka was predeceased by her mother Sophia, brother Bohdan Malecki, first husband Bohdan Wawrysyn, father Aleksander, daughter Areta, and husband of 54 years, Jurij.
She was the much loved mother of Roxolana (Dale), Askold, Ihor (Wendy) and Myron (Sophia).
She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Michael (April), Tanya, Chris (Ana), Andy (Susana) Jessie (Ryan), Samuel, Andrea and Nicholas. She will also be greatly missed by her great-grandchildren Damon, Mina, Felica, Sean, Shane, Raven, Briana and great-great -granddaughter Sylvia.
Born October 19, 1925 in Krosno, Poland to Ukrainian parents Aleksander Malecki and Sophia Werbycka.
To say Marijka lived in interesting times, is an understatement. From an innocent childhood with a loving family in post WWI Poland to surviving the terror of the Second World War in Poland and Germany, through the struggles in displaced persons camps in postwar Germany, then to immigrating to the Chicago in 1949 and finally moving to Florida, first to Apopka and then to Pinellas Park.
Marijka raised her children with love and caring. She instilled in them wonder, curiosity of the world, the love of learning and of Ukraine and its culture. Marijka was fluent in Ukrainian, Polish, German and English. She loved to read in all four languages. Although she only completed gymnasium (high school in Europe), her life experiences were varied, intense and unmatched by any formal education.
She was active at all the Ukrainian Catholic Churches where she was a parishioner. From St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Chicago to St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church in Apopka Fl., to Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. She loved to travel and discover the world. She travelled to a multitude of places; throughout the US and Canada, to Greece, Europe and Mexico. Paramount for her was to experience the local culture, food and people. The joy of her life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an expert seamstress, knitter and a master of Ukrainian embroidery.
Marijka faced it all and lived it all to the fullest with her own inner strength, outspokenness and her own sense of humor. To say she lived a full and fascinating life, is even a bigger understatement.
A Celebration of Marijka’s
life will be held at
MEMORIAL PARK
FUNERAL HOME,
5750 49th St. N.
St. Petersburgh, FL
(www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com) on
Thursday, June 16, 2016, 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Funeral: Friday June 17, 2016 10:00am
Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church
434-90th Ave N. St. Petersburg
Interment to follow at:
Calvary Catholic Cemetery
5233 118th Ave N. Clearwater
What’s your fondest memory of Marijka?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marijka?
Share a story where Marijka's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marijka you’ll never forget.
How did Marijka make you smile?
