Merle Adele Maximiuk, with family by her side, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on November 2, 2014 at the age of 70, after a courageous struggle with cancer. Merle was born December 8, 1943 in The Pas, MB, to John and Nellie (Evaniw) Kinaschuk. Merle's elementary and high school was taken in Sturgis, SK. Merle continued her studies eventually completing a Business College Certificate. Merle participated in organizations such as CYMK, Ukrainian school and was a resident of Mohyla Institute. Merle had the opportunity to teach at Camp Kiev in Ontario and at Camp Trident by Canora, SK. Merle developed a true appreciation for the importance of the church camps for the youth and would return to Camp Trident as a camp administrator. Merle married John Maximiuk in 1964. The two of them made their first home in Yorkton, SK and then later in Grenfell, SK. As a result of sharing her mother's love for flowers and gardening, Merle would be involved with the horticultural society in Grenfell. The family often attended St. Michael's U.O. Church in Candiac, SK and St. Mary the Protectress U.O. Church in Melville, SK. In 1980, John and Merle made the decision to move back to Yorkton. Merle would become involved in executive positions with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Yorkton, with the Ukrainian Women's Association, Olena Pchilka Branch, as well as being involved with the Simon Petlura CYMK Branch of Yorkton. Merle was president of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance group of Yorkton for a number of years and was co-editor of the SaskTanets Newsletter. At the 2013 National CYC Convention she was recognized for her many years of volunteer service. In Yorkton, Merle was employed with Sportsland Sales and Service doing administration and bookkeeping. Following that she was employed with the Bay for a number of years and finally finished her work career working in the Yorkton Health Region Public Health Office and Yorkton Hospital. Following her retirement Merle also spent time volunteering in the Yorkton hospital's nursery as a "baby rocker". In 1995 she fulfilled a personal dream of hers and travelled to Ukraine with her father, John. There she had the opportunity to visit the Kinaschuk family in the village, Vinnyatyntsi. Merle was involved with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) - Yorkton Branch, as well as the Saskatchewan Provincial Council for over 10 years and it has provided her with the opportunity to continue her involvement with the Ukrainian Canadian community. Merle, on behalf of the Yorkton UCC Branch, organized various activities throughout the years such as: Ukrainian Day in the Park, Holodomor commemorations, Taras Shevchenko concerts, organizing the Nation Builders and community recognition awards and continued the work of the UCC in supporting the new immigrants from Ukraine as they become a new group of nation builders for Saskatchewan and Canada. For her efforts and dedication she was honored during a Nation Builders Ceremony in 2013. Merle had found great joy and fulfilment in assisting the new immigrant families navigate their new environment, sharing what her city, her province, her country had to offer was some of the most rewarding work of her life. Merle also found great enjoyment in visiting and participating in the lives of her grandchildren, music, embroidery, curling, going for coffee and being with the Splurge Girls. When Merle was diagnosed with cancer she moved to Saskatoon to be with family for support. She then moved into the Ilarion Residence and found much joy in this community. As her health care needs became greater she moved to a personal care home and finally was hospitalized to receive the care and support she needed for her final days. Merle was predeceased by her parents and her husband John. She leaves to mourn her passing and remember her life, her children: Rev. Fr. Eugene and Dobr. Zenovia; Tania; Rev. Fr. Evan and Dobr. Lisa; Ilaria and Jim; her precious grandchildren: Alexis, Lukian, Oryanna, Markian, Jacob, Sanchira, Micah and Elijah. She will be fondly remembered by her extended family and friends. Prayer Services were held on Sunday, November 9, 2014 and the Funeral Service was held on Monday, November 10, 2014 from Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in Yorkton, SK. Both services were officiated by the Very Reverend Archpriest Taras Makowsky, Reverend Father Patrick Powalinsky, Reverend Father Evan Maximiuk and Reverend Father Eugene Maximiuk with cantors, Gerald Yaholnitsky and members of the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Choir assisting in the singing of the service. The Cross Bearers were Markian Maximiuk and Jacob Powalinsky. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of St. Luke, with Lukian Maximiuk, Jim Powalinsky, Michael Pasloski, Anatolii Kolesov, Larry Neuls and Orville Drobot serving as the casket bearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity U. O. Church in Sturgis; Holy Transfiguration U.O. Church in Yorkton; or The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. We thank all who were part of Mom's life. We thank all who took the time to call or visit Mom. We thank all who kept her in their prayers. This gave Mom immense strength to face the challenges she had. Finally, we thank all the doctors, nurses, care providers and volunteers for their special care and dedication during our Mother's battle with cancer. May God grant her rest among the righteous and may her memory be eternal-We Love You Mama! Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
