Olga Rose (Maksymetz) Luky

Olga Rose Luky (nee Maksymetz) passed away on October 21, 2018 at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre surrounded by her family. 

Left with many precious memories, Olga is survived by her children Deborah (Tom), Karen (Rick), Kimberly (Bill), Warren (Giselle), Shawn (Christine), and Bradley (Holly); her grandchildren David (Rachelle), Christopher (Jazmyn), Tyler, Megan (Brayden), Devan, Stella, and Maple; great granddaughter Madeline; sister Elsie Olsen, sister in law Pearl (fondly known as baby sister), many nieces and nephews, as well as step siblings Olga, Eileen, Emily, Dorothy, Wilfred and their families.  

Olga is predeceased by her husband Walter, daughter Lynda, parents John and Mary, step-mother Mary, siblings and in-laws Walter (Irene), Hardy, Ernie (Elsie), Zita (Andy), and Albert (Elaine) as well as step-brother Ernie Lessak.

Olga was born on June 4, 1931 to parents John J. Maksymetz and Mary Shmon.  She was raised in the Venlaw district and attended Kolomjya School.

Olga married Walter Luky on October 26, 1949 at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Drifting River.  Olga and Walter settled on a farm in the Gilbert Plains area.  They worked tirelessly side-by-side raising cattle and farming the land, as well as raising and providing for a large family.   She had exceptional organizational skills which she used to manage the farm, the household, as well she skillfully organized and cooked at church events, weddings and family reunions.  Olga was a cake decorator extraordinaire, making many wedding and birthday cakes. In her earlier years she was our family seamstress creating fashionable clothes for her daughters.   As each of her children left home she would study and develop a new skill.  She took training and practiced Reflexology, Massage Therapy and Nutritional Health.  In 1985, Olga received her Diploma in Floral Art Design at the Manitoba Floral Art School in Winnipeg.  She worked as a floral Designer in several floral shops in Dauphin and still managed the farm and large farmyard.  

In 1995 Olga and Walter retired and moved into Dauphin.   Olga’s love of gardening continued at their retirement home on MacNeill Place.  Her flower planters and garden ponds won awards in the local Dauphin in Bloom homeowners’ category.  Olga had the magic touch and would create beauty in all she did.

Throughout the years Olga served on several church boards at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Women’s League, the St. Georges Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Women’s Association Lesia Ukrainka Branch.  She enjoyed traditional Ukrainian singing and sang with the Gilbert Plains Choral Ensemble, the Gilbert Plains Grandview Choir, the St. Georges Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir, the Millennium Choir, as well as the Festival Choir.  As well, Olga passed on many beautiful traditions her family will cherish, especially Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper.  

Olga was an impressive woman indeed.  She was brilliant, artistic, talented, and compassionate.  She had a strong sense of social justice and social responsibility.  We would all get calls on the federal and provincial election days reminding us to vote.  Mom was resourceful and could fix anything, we called her MacGyver after the TV action hero.  Olga’s attitude was often referred to as the Nike motto “just do it” or as she would say - you just make up your mind and do it!  This attitude lives on in all her children, grandchildren and great granddaughter.  

Olga fondly referred to her children as the seven wonders of the world, or her bear cubs.  In return with love and admiration they called her Mama Bear.  She has been a gift to her family, and as children they have been honored and privileged to have many siblings who love and support each other though laughter, sadness and hardship.  

Heartfelt thank you to Father Brent, Elder (name to be confirmed), Cantors Olga Saramaga & Hazel Dyrda, the Sisterhood, and the Choir of St George’s Orthodox Church; Cross Bearer Megan Luky, Pallbearers David Brown, Christopher Frykas, Tyler Frykas, Devan Luky, Dennis Luky, Greg Sydor; Honorary Pallbearers Elsie Olson, Pearl Maksymetz, Olga Saramaga, Adeline Sydor, and Jean Hendrickson.  Many thanks to Milton and all Olga’s friendships at St George’s Place.  Heartfelt thanks to the health care team of Physicians, Nurses, and Health Care Aids at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (Teegan, Clifford, Richard, Joleen, Aroon, Raj, Courtney, Warrena, Edilyn, Shawna, Brenden, Sally, Avi, Betsy, Vicky and many more we may have forgotten in our grief), the Home Care Team, and most especially Audrey Labelle, Palliative Care Coordinator, Audrey Warkentin, Cancer Care Navigator as well as Dr Daeninck.  Olga’s family also extends a sincere thank you to Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Services and to all their family and friends, especially Aunt Pearl, for all their support during this difficult time.

Prayers were offered on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm from Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB.

Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 10:00 am from St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin, MB with Rev. Father Brent Kuzyk officiating.  Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, MB.  

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Olga may be made to St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church 804 Main St. S. Dauphin, MB R7N 1L9

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Olga Rose (Maksymetz) Luky, please visit our floral store.