Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30
Jaroslava (Stephanie) Theresa Romaniuk (née Chopty) passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at TBRHSC, with members of her family by her side. Born in 1933 in Viktorivka, Ternopil, Ukraine, as a young child she was exiled with her family to one of Stalin’s Gulags, losing half of her siblings to cold and starvation. The British housed “Displaced Persons” in eastern Africa for six years, then moved them to England. The family eventually joined relatives in Saskatchewan then moved to Port Arthur where she met the love of her life, Theodore Romaniuk. The couple were founding members of the Church of the Holy Protection in Port Arthur and in later years attended the Church of the Holy Cross. Active in numerous Ukrainian organizations and charities, they sang together in the Karpaty Choir, filled the house with music and were known for their elegant dancing. “Slavka” was also a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League, sang in the Prosvita Women’s Choir, made beautiful pysanky and embroidery, devoting her time and energy to family, church, and community.
Mourning her are children Hanusia (Bohdan Tkaczyk), Orysia, Michael, Roman, Katherine and Andrew (Janice); grandsons Mike, Mark and Nick Tkaczyk (Jaimie Ramos and Aidan) and family in Ukraine and Canada. Jaroslava was predeceased by her beloved Theodore, parents Danylo and Anna Chopty, siblings Walter, Maria Kuzyk, Josephat, Maria and Olga as well as extended family.
Funeral prayers will be sung at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church on Oct 11 at 7 PM, with funeral to follow on Oct 12 at 9 AM. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Holy Cross Church or to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
We extend our gratitude to Drs. Garon, Power and McCallum, RN Cassie, ICU staff and all those who provided Jaroslava with skilled and compassionate care in her final days.
VICHNAYA PAMIAT’ – Eternal memory.
