Community mourns loss of Nation Builder Anne Hnatiuk

Published in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
from January 18 - January 19, 2008.

Anne (Leskiw) Hnatiuk (Recognized as Nation Builder in 2000)

Anne passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 17, 2008.

Anne was born in Saskatoon on February 24, 1914 to Philimon and Christina Leskiw. She attended Pleasant Hill Public School, Bedford Road Collegiate and the Saskatoon Technical Collegiate where she took her business and secretarial courses.

Anne received her bilingual secretarial training at the headquarters of the Ukrainian National Federation in Saskatoon where she received instruction in Ukrainian shorthand and typing. When the UNF moved to Winnipeg Anne worked with the United Farmers of Canada and the City of Saskatoon. With the City, Anne worked in the Electrical, Hospitalization, Tax, Engineering, Welfare and Planning and Building departments. She also worked on the University of Saskatchewan Golden Jubilee Campaign fund, in St. Paul's Hospital medical records department and was secretary to the Diploma Nursing instructors at SIAST. She continued working with the Nursing program as it evolved until her retirement in March of 1979. Always wanting to keep herself busy, mom went back to the Nursing program to help out with work on Special Programs, Special Care, Home Care and Day Care.

Anne had a good Ukrainian upbringing school, concerts, plays, drama and language. She served in various capacities with many Ukrainian organizations as a volunteer, secretary, president, convener of special events and in many other capacities. She also was involved with Ukrainian community projects, headed children's and youth dancing groups, theatrical and choral (children's) groups, Ukrainian Arts Program Festival and also taught kindergarten Sunday school at the Ukrainian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral of which she was a member.

From 1960 she was involved with the Yevshan Ukrainian Dance Ensemble serving as president of the Parent's Committee for a number of years while her children were members of the group. Anne was also a member of the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada, Saskatoon branch and was a representative to the Ukrainian Canadian Women's Committee where she served as president, secretary, convener and archivist. Because of her bi-lingual knowledge she worked with professors from the then Slavic Studies Department at the U. of S. to type the Ukrainian/English correspondence courses for grades 9 to 12.

After her final retirement, Anne kept busy with various organizations and committees. She worked with the Board of SIAST Kelsey Campus Staff Alumni, Saskatoon Council of Women, sang in the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir and met regularly as long as was possible with her group of Kelsey Campus female retirees that she enjoyed so much.

But perhaps mom's biggest passion was saved for her work with Folkfest. As much as she wanted to promote her own Ukrainian Canadian culture, she really loved seeing and helping others promote theirs. She began in the first formative years of Folkfest by serving as a volunteer with the Kyiv Ukrainian Pavilion. From there she moved on to positions as assistant ambassador and ambassador. From there she was first elected to the Board of Folkfest Inc. in 1984 and over the years she served a total of 4 two year terms with the Board. In her time on the Board she served as Public Relations Director, Youth Ambassador Director, Marketing and Promotions Director and Tour Guide program. Between her times on the Folkfest Board, she also was the Pavilion Manager for the Kyiv Ukrainian Pavilion. She also volunteered in many other ways to help out wherever and whenever anyone could use her help.

Her volunteerism however was not limited to the Ukrainian community. She was always helping out with anything associated with whatever her kids were involved in. She was also a representative to the Saskatoon Council of Women, contributing her services where necessary. She was the Captain for Ward 2 in a Saskatoon Neighborhood Safety Audit project in 1995. She also volunteered as a zone leader of canvassers for the Saskatchewan Lung Association and also for the Kidney Foundation. Anne was also an enumerator and Deputy Returning Officer for various civic, provincial and federal elections.

In 1992, on the occasion of Canada's 125th birthday, Anne was the recipient of the Queen's Medal for all of her volunteer work. The common threads to all of Anne's activities were her undying support of youth no matter what nationality or worthwhile endeavour, and her love of laughing. She had an infectious laugh that was easily recognizable and endeared her to almost everyone she associated with. Anne also received a tremendous amount of pride and joy spending time with and seeing the accomplishments of her three grandsons.

On August 29, 1940, Anne married Alex (Oleksa) Hnatiuk in Saskatoon. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband in 1980 and their oldest child, Denise in 1984. Surviving Anne are her children; Tony, wife Eva and son Timothy; Alex, wife Alina and sons Michael and Andrew; sister Emily Polson and family of Windsor, ON.

Prayers for Anne will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Both services will be held at The Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Avenue J and 20th Street W., Saskatoon, officiated by Rev. Fr. Taras Makowsky. A private family interment will take place at Woodlawn Orthodox Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to a charity of donor's choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Werezak of Park Funeral Chapel, 244-2103.

© The Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon) 2008