Obituary for Marta Hnyp (Beniwczak)
HNYP, Marta (nee Beniwczak) -
We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Marta Hnyp at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre (UCCC) in Toronto on December 24, 2020 at the age of 95. Born in Turka, Western Ukraine, Marta and her late husband Ewhen (1976) emmigrated to Canada in 1957 from England where they were displaced persons after World War II. Both worked very hard to make a better life for their beloved daughters Kathy (Richard Baker) and Nadia Komar. Marta leaves behind her grandchildren Lara (Nick), Nikolai (Nicole) and Tamara; also her great grandchildren Noah, Elianna and soon to be born Larissa. A funeral service was held on December 29, 2020 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church on La Rose Ave, in Toronto, Interment followed at Park Lawn Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all the compassionate and caring staff at UCCC, and especially Nurses Halina, Svetlana and Yurie and Care Support Worker Vivienne. As expressions of sympathy, donations in honour of Marta's memory can be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre (60 Richview Rd, Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 5E4) or to the charity of choice. For condolences and more information visit: newediukfuneralhome.com
Marta Hnyp Eulogy for her Grandchildren
Given by her Daughter Katherine on December 29, 2020
I am writing this for the benefit of Mom’s grandchildren (Lara Tancock, Nikolai and Tamara Komar) who never got to know their Grandmother Marta very well, and never even met their Grandfather Ewhen who died at the age of 51 on January 29, 1976.
Grandmother Marta was born on April 18, 1925 in a little village in the Carpathian Mountains called Turka. This was a very poor part of Ukraine which was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and at the time of Grandmother Marta’s birth, annexed to Poland. Grandmother Marta actually went to a Polish school even though everybody in the village spoke Ukrainian. Her family could not afford to send her to school after she finished grade four.
Grandmother Marta was born to Katherine Beniwczak, after whom I was named. At the age of 16, in 1941, Grandmother Marta, along with many other children, was transported to Germany for forced labour. She would not see her Mother for 25 years, when finally with the help of the Red Cross, she was able to come to Canada. This war time experience was very traumatic for your Grandmother. She told me that she was very lucky in one of her postings, as the German family took her in as one of their own. She was not so lucky with the next family.
After the end of World War II, both your Grandmother Marta and Grandfather Ewhen were accepted as Displaced Persons by England. It was there that they met and eventually married in 1950. I was born in 1951. Your Grandfather excelled at whatever he did and eventually became a foreman at a furniture factory. Your Grandmother worked as a seamstress. Both were very active in the Ukrainian community and loyal supporters of the Ukrainian Youth Association.
In 1956 your Grandmother and Grandfather decided to emigrate to Canada following my Godfather, Stephan Chreptak and his wife Winnifred. I remember staying at their house in New Toronto when we first arrived. Both grandparents worked very hard – often working two jobs at a time- to get established. Eventually, they bought a small grocery store on Brock Avenue in Toronto which they owned and operated until 1969. Prior to that, your Grandfather began working for the Ukrainian Business Association (UBA) Trading Company. Your Grandmother Marta worked as a cleaning lady at the University Settlement House in downtown Toronto and for Bell Canada. Even after retiring, she worked as a lunchroom supervisor.
For the last few years of your Grandfather’s life, your Grandmother Marta didn’t need to work as hard as she did. Gone were the days when they had to rent out rooms to other families or sleep in the basement. However, your Grandmother Marta was fiercely independent and determined to contribute to household expenses. It was lucky she was, because when your Grandfather Ewhen died, the lovely home they bought on Evelyn Avenue in High Park was mortgage free. Also, Grandmother Marta still had to support your Mother, who was only sixteen at the time and send her off to University.
So to conclude, I want you to remember that Grandmother Marta, taken away from her Mother at the age of 16 and left widowed at the age 50, had a hard life. But despite, everything, she
managed to soldier on. She was generous to a fault and had a big heart. Even though she may not have always shown it, she loved each of you very much.
Now, I am not saying she was perfect. For one thing, Grandmother Marta was a very bad driver. She could also be frustrating at times. But I truly believe this was a result of her having a grade four education, coping in a twentieth century world. And I know that, for me at least, Grandmother Marta was a positive role model. She worked hard, was generous, loyal, independent and a true survivor. These are all qualities to admire and emulate.
May she Rest in Peace!
Vichnaya Pamyat!
We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Marta Hnyp at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre (UCCC) in Toronto on December 24, 2020 at the age of 95. Born in Turka, Western Ukraine, Marta and her late husband Ewhen (1976) emmigrated to Canada in 1957 from England where they were displaced persons after World War II. Both worked very hard to make a better life for their beloved daughters Kathy (Richard Baker) and Nadia Komar. Marta leaves behind her grandchildren Lara (Nick), Nikolai (Nicole) and Tamara; also her great grandchildren Noah, Elianna and soon to be born Larissa. A funeral service was held on December 29, 2020 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church on La Rose Ave, in Toronto, Interment followed at Park Lawn Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all the compassionate and caring staff at UCCC, and especially Nurses Halina, Svetlana and Yurie and Care Support Worker Vivienne. As expressions of sympathy, donations in honour of Marta's memory can be made to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre (60 Richview Rd, Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 5E4) or to the charity of choice. For condolences and more information visit: newediukfuneralhome.com
Marta Hnyp Eulogy for her Grandchildren
Given by her Daughter Katherine on December 29, 2020
I am writing this for the benefit of Mom’s grandchildren (Lara Tancock, Nikolai and Tamara Komar) who never got to know their Grandmother Marta very well, and never even met their Grandfather Ewhen who died at the age of 51 on January 29, 1976.
Grandmother Marta was born on April 18, 1925 in a little village in the Carpathian Mountains called Turka. This was a very poor part of Ukraine which was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and at the time of Grandmother Marta’s birth, annexed to Poland. Grandmother Marta actually went to a Polish school even though everybody in the village spoke Ukrainian. Her family could not afford to send her to school after she finished grade four.
Grandmother Marta was born to Katherine Beniwczak, after whom I was named. At the age of 16, in 1941, Grandmother Marta, along with many other children, was transported to Germany for forced labour. She would not see her Mother for 25 years, when finally with the help of the Red Cross, she was able to come to Canada. This war time experience was very traumatic for your Grandmother. She told me that she was very lucky in one of her postings, as the German family took her in as one of their own. She was not so lucky with the next family.
After the end of World War II, both your Grandmother Marta and Grandfather Ewhen were accepted as Displaced Persons by England. It was there that they met and eventually married in 1950. I was born in 1951. Your Grandfather excelled at whatever he did and eventually became a foreman at a furniture factory. Your Grandmother worked as a seamstress. Both were very active in the Ukrainian community and loyal supporters of the Ukrainian Youth Association.
In 1956 your Grandmother and Grandfather decided to emigrate to Canada following my Godfather, Stephan Chreptak and his wife Winnifred. I remember staying at their house in New Toronto when we first arrived. Both grandparents worked very hard – often working two jobs at a time- to get established. Eventually, they bought a small grocery store on Brock Avenue in Toronto which they owned and operated until 1969. Prior to that, your Grandfather began working for the Ukrainian Business Association (UBA) Trading Company. Your Grandmother Marta worked as a cleaning lady at the University Settlement House in downtown Toronto and for Bell Canada. Even after retiring, she worked as a lunchroom supervisor.
For the last few years of your Grandfather’s life, your Grandmother Marta didn’t need to work as hard as she did. Gone were the days when they had to rent out rooms to other families or sleep in the basement. However, your Grandmother Marta was fiercely independent and determined to contribute to household expenses. It was lucky she was, because when your Grandfather Ewhen died, the lovely home they bought on Evelyn Avenue in High Park was mortgage free. Also, Grandmother Marta still had to support your Mother, who was only sixteen at the time and send her off to University.
So to conclude, I want you to remember that Grandmother Marta, taken away from her Mother at the age of 16 and left widowed at the age 50, had a hard life. But despite, everything, she
managed to soldier on. She was generous to a fault and had a big heart. Even though she may not have always shown it, she loved each of you very much.
Now, I am not saying she was perfect. For one thing, Grandmother Marta was a very bad driver. She could also be frustrating at times. But I truly believe this was a result of her having a grade four education, coping in a twentieth century world. And I know that, for me at least, Grandmother Marta was a positive role model. She worked hard, was generous, loyal, independent and a true survivor. These are all qualities to admire and emulate.
May she Rest in Peace!
Vichnaya Pamyat!