LYDIA SOPHIE KRUCKO (METELLA)

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LYDIA SOPHIE KRUCKO (nee METELLA) Peacefully, on Monday, September 15, 2014, after a lengthy illness and receiving Sacrament of the Sick, Lydia Sophie Krucko passed away at the age of 85 at Holy Family Home. Lydia was born on June 19, 1929 in Krechiwci, near Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine to Dr. Osyp and Maria Metella. Receiving her primary and secondary education in Ukraine, her life was disrupted by the Second World War. In the immediate aftermath of the war, Lydia and her family found their way to the American Allied occupation zone in Austria. In 1946 Lydia continued her education at the State Academy for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna studying music on a scholarship. In 1948 Lydia's family immigrated to Goodeve, Saskatchewan to live with her mother's cousin, Bill Isajiw. Later on they moved to Winnipeg where Lydia attended Isaac Newton High School as an adult student and in June, 1949 completed typing, bookkeeping, and business English courses. In 1951 she met and married Zenon Krucko. Lydia was very pious and religious, finding strength and solace in the beliefs and faith of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. She completed her career as parish secretary at Blessed Virgin Mary Church, where she worked with Rt. Rev. Mitrat Dobriansky and other clergy using her Ukrainian/English language skills to translate the bulletin for parishioners, amongst other duties. Having musical aptitude, Lydia dedicated much time to practicing the piano and accompanied Ukrainian soloists on stage in the 1960s. Throughout her life, Lydia found refuge in piano playing. As well, she enjoyed and took comfort in planting gardens and nurturing beautiful flowers both at her home in Winnipeg and at the cottage in Hillside Beach. In the latter years of her husband's life, Lydia devoted herself to Zenon's care, learning how to cook vegetarian meals to promote a healthier lifestyle. Lydia's contemplative and reflective nature was exemplified in her creative pursuit of the visual arts: oil painting, water colours, photography, Ukrainian embroidery and arts and crafts. Lydia was a member of the Ukrainian Reading Association "Prosvita" and the Ukrainian National Association (New Jersey). Lydia leaves to cherish her memory her children, Bohdan and Christine, family in Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk Oblast in Western Ukraine, as well as nephews and nieces of her late brother, George Metella, family in Denver and cousins from the Isajiw family both in Canada and the USA. She was predeceased by her husband Zenon in 1998. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 20 at Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 965 Boyd Ave. with Fr. Bohdan Lukie, C.Ss.R. officiating. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery. Her children wish to thank the staff at Holy Family Home and Dr. T. Babick for their kindness and care. Donations in Lydia's memory may be made to Holy Family Home, 165 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB or a charity of one's choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-956-2193

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 18, 2014