Sister Junia Anne Kunanec, SSMI. 1930 - 2016. As peacefully as she lived, surrounded by her Sisters, Sister Junia died on March 2, 2016 in Holy Family Home, Winnipeg in her 86th year and 67th of religious life. Sister Junia (Sophie Anne) was born on May 26, 1930 in Wolverine, SK, to Dmytro and Maria Kunanec who had immigrated to Canada from Western Ukraine in the 1920s. In the 1940s the family moved to Toronto where Anne attended Notre Dame High School. A shared faith enabled the Kunanec family and their five children to overcome many hardships and sufferings in Ukraine and Canada. Anne's desire to serve God was supported by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. In 1949, she joined the SSMI, becoming known as Sister Junia. She made her Final Profession in 1957. Being drawn toward teaching, she obtained a BA and B.Ed. from the U of S and later an MA in Spirituality from Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. For 35 years she taught in Catholic primary, elementary and high schools in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. She served as principal at IHMS, Winnipeg and was the first principal of St. Mary's School in Yorkton. Many rewarding years were spent at Sacred Heart High School in Yorkton. Sister Junia loved all those whom she called to serve. Many former students comment on her gentleness as they felt accepted and loved by her. A woman blended with intellect and art, she lived a wisdom that reached many. Sister Junia loved her religious congregation and served it wholeheartedly. She held responsible positions of leadership both locally and nationally. From 1999-2009, Sister Junia was Provincial Superior for the Canadian Sisters Servants. Deeply rooted in her faith and living this strength, she held her equilibrium in sunny and difficult days. As a leader she lived her gentle spirit with a compassionate heart that was able to listen, hear and understand the Sisters of all ages and for this the Sisters are grateful. Her understanding and compassion reached far and wide. Sister Junia's family was always close to her heart. She was a sister and an aunt who laughed and cried with them and cared for them in times of need. Diminishing health made it necessary for Sister Junia to move to Holy Family Home, where she continued her closeness with her sister and friend, Sister Mary Basil. Sister Junia was predeceased by her parents, Dmytro and Maria; brother Volodymyr and sister-in-law Olga; brothers Emil and Robert and her niece Gail. She is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Basil at HFH, Winnipeg; brother Michael and sister-in-law Joan, Scarborough, ON; sister-in-law Sylvia (Emil), Toronto and beloved nieces and nephews with their families. Prayers were held on March 10 and Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated on March 11 at St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Winnipeg, followed by internment in Holy Family Cemetery.
