NAHNYBIDA: Lena Nahnybida of Benito, Manitoba and formerly of Arran, Saskatchewan passed away at the age of 86 years on June 27, 2015 at the Swan River Health Centre. A funeral service for Lena Nahnybida was held on Friday, July 3, 2015 from the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
Interment followed at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery south of Arran, Saskatchewan. Lena (nee Berezowski) Nahnybida was born to Alexander & Katherine Berezowski on March 21, 1929 in Arran, SK.
She grew up and attended school in Arran. On July 17, 1948 at the tender age of 19, she married the love of her life, Jim Nahnybida. They made their home on the farm north of Arran and later moved into town. Jim farmed and delivered mail and Lena took on the role of homemaker. Together they raised seven children: Elaine, Donald, Theresa, Terrence, William, Richard and James.
Lena is survived by her seven children: Elaine (Don) Bazansky of Saskatoon, SK; Don (Zoria) Nahnybida of Greenwood, BC; Theresa (Henry) Panagabko of Regina, SK; Terry (Sandy) Nahnybida
of Kenville, MB; Bill (Lorna) Nahnybida of Swan River, MB; Rick Nahnybida (Michelle McKenzie) of Arran, SK; and Jim (Maria) Nahnybida of Kamsack, SK; 19 grandchildren: Gina
(Tim) Parker, Angie (Erin) Dodd, Shawna (Michael) Kozun, Michelle Bazansky (Jason LeDrew), Lisa (Rob) Hewitt, Audree (Tyler) Cornet, Blair (Lorette) Panagabko, Zane Nahnybida
(Brandi Hinton), Ashley Nahnybida (Jayme Eggie), Krista Nahnybida (Adrian Malley), Amanda (Jason) Jacobson, Steven Nahnybida (Kirstin Fair), Ali Nahnybida (Andre Trudel), Jessalyn
Nahnybida, Shayla & Taylor Romanyshyn, Zach Nahnybida (Jenna Bowes), Mitch Nahnybida, Mark Nahnybida (Sophia Thomas); 19 great-grandchildren: Mitch Dixon, Tyler Dodd, Miranda
Dodd, Jacob Dodd, Brianna Dodd, Kassie Dodd, Dallas Dodd, Tanner Kozun, Samantha Kozun, Tessa Kozun, Kaden Bazansky, Abby Hewitt, Emma Cornet, Sam Cornet, Ben Cornet,
Cayden Nahnybida, Ataya Nahnybida, Shea Eggie & Emily Jacobson; her sister Victoria (John) Husak of Surrey, BC; and her brother John Berezowski of Squamish, BC.
Lena was predeceased by her parents, Alexander & Katherine Berezowski; her husband, Jim Nahnybida; her sisters Mary Chorneyko, Anne Batryn, Doris Woytkiw and Millie Kalanchy; her brothers Steve Berezowski, Michael Berezowski and Bill Berezowski.
Lena enjoyed many pastimes including gardening and cooking. Her yard was adorned with flower pots and perennials and her garden overflowing with vegetables of all kinds. She took pride in preparing Ukrainian meals for her family and sharing the love of these traditions with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
Whether she was slicing beets to make borscht, pinching dough to make perogies or stuffing jars with cucumbers to make pickles, you would always catch her with her Ukrainian
apron on in the kitchen and a smile on her face. She was devoted to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and enjoyed helping her fellow ladies prepare the dishes for church functions. She enjoyed watching curling, whether it was on TV or at the Arran Curling Rink.
Her greatest passion however, was her family. She took great pride in the accomplishments and prosperity of he grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one holds a very
special place in her heart. She truly was the matriarch of the family, strong and resolute in body, mind, soul and spirit. She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and the community she so dearly loved. If friend’s so desire donations in Lena’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
