Celina (Szaluk) Hrytsay

It is with great sadness that we the family announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Celina Ksenia Hrytsay on Thursday, April 27, 2018 at the age of 92.  

Celina was born April 3, 1926 in Bobyatyn in Western Ukraine daughter of Nykola and Teklia (Chmara) Szaluk.

At a young age, Celina along with her parents and two sisters were forced out of their home and country because of communism and were forced into box cars with other people who also were removed from their homes and traveled by train for two weeks.  They were then driven by horses and sleighs in February and landed in Siberia, Russia.  They were hungry and worked a whole day for only three ounces of bread and soup for two meals.  They stayed in Siberia for a year and a half.  On July 30, 1942 amnesty was granted to the deportees, Celina’s family sold everything they owned to buy train tickets to Asia.  They stayed there for three months and left on a ship not fit for sailing to North Rhodesia, Africa, and stayed there for five years.  There it was a better life.  Through the Red Cross, Celina’s parents found their uncle John Chmara who brought them to Winnipeg in 1948.

On June 19, 1949, in Winnipeg, Celina married John Hrytsay.  Following their marriage they moved to and resided in Gilbert Plains where she farmed with John until his passing on October 15, 1977.  After his passing Celina continued farming with her son and she moved to town in 1989.

Celina’s life centered around her family; children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her grandchildren spent many summers enjoying their time with her.

Celina was a devoted member of the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League for 52 years serving in different capacities, including President.

Celina was predeceased by her parents, Nykola (1950) and Teklia (1961) Szaluk, husband John, sister Mary Hrytsay (Walter), sister Ann Nizio (John), sister-in-law Pearl (Harry) Yaciuk.
Leaves to mourn her passing her loving son Henry (Laurie) of Gilbert Plains; grandchildren Lana (Lyle), Deena (Brad), Robert (Yami) and Melanie (Ross); great grandchildren Hailey, Logan, Morgan, Keera, Taylor, Tori, Luke, Shardrian and Celina.  Loving daughter Ginny (Tony) Ribaric and grandchildren Kelly and Kristine (Neil) and great grandchildren Lexi and Rhett all of Regina, one brother-in-law Peter Hrytsay and his wife Rose of Dauphin as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Prayers were offered on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 7:00 pm from Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB.

Funeral Liturgy was held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 10:00 am from Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Gilbert Plains, MB with Rev Father Yaroslav Strukhlyak officiating, and Marvin Procyshyn served as cantor.  Interment followed in Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Parish Cemetery in Gilbert Plains, MB.  

All of Celina’s friends and relatives were to consider themselves honorary pallbearers.  Active pallbearers were: Robert Hrytsay, Kelly Ribaric, Lyle Tabak, Brad Yaciuk, Neil Ripplinger and Ross Minish.

In lieu of flowers, friends who so desire may make memorial donations to the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church in Gilbert Plains.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Celina (Szaluk) Hrytsay, please visit our floral store.