YAROSLAVA DEMKO

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YAROSLAVA DEMKO

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yaroslava Demko on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Health Sciences Centre, at the age of 84 in the most peaceful, serene way.
Panakhyda will take place on Friday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m., approximately two hours before Sunset at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church, 115 McGregor Street.
Divine Liturgy will take place on Saturday, July 5 at 9:00 a.m., at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Church, 115 McGregor Street, followed by trip to All Saints Cemetery, 4535 Main Street, asking Mother Earth to take my beautiful Mom to her bosom and in her nurturing, everlasting embrace.
Please note: The church will open its doors earlier for anyone, NOT JUST FAMILY, to have some quiet time before the service, for prayer, contemplation, or viewing, between 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, before the 9:00 a.m. service. No one will be excluded.
After the cemetery, please join in a feast to be held outdoors on the side of the church.
Note: All leftover food to be shared with the elderly or anyone at the feast, and then with people living on the streets. Any volunteers would be appreciated to help Ollie distribute the food after.
Honorary Pallbearers

Yaroslava would be very grateful to the following Honorary Pallbearers, representatives from Ollie's Spiritual Family who will be sitting with her:

Lama Brian McLeod, Buddhist Lama;

Elder Karen Barkman, Grandmothers' Council;

Elder Rosemary Miguez, Sundance Moonlodge Keeper, Artist;

Sonja Beaulieu, Pipe Carrier, Anishinaabe Language Keeper;

Heidi Schattschneider, Spiritual Sister, Old Friend;

Elder Ron Bell, Keeper of the Petroforms;

Elder Brian McLeod, Traditional Knowledge Keeper.
Pallbearers and Cross Carrier

Yaroslava would also be very grateful to the following Pallbearers and Cross Carrier, and for inclusion of women into traditional male roles:

Steve Hruden, Nephew;

Jozef Demko, Nephew;

Mira Demko, Niece;

Nelson Torres, Family Support Member;

Izabela Ola Madejczyk, Niece;

John Bartschak, one of Wally Kitash's best friends, son of Mrs Demko who passed away

AND "Carrying the Cross":

Mariia Oleksii, Close Friend of Mrs Demko right up until her death.
Donations plus/or Positive Action-Oriented Work

Any donations in honour of Yaroslava Demko and her life's work can be made to: Humanitarian Organizations; Ukrainian Schools and Culture; Women's Shelters - women/children who need safety and refuge; any Animal Humane Society; any Environmental Society or Planetary Cause for Mother Earth; any Philanthropic Endeavor on the streets of Winnipeg or anywhere in the World; Any "Voice for the Voiceless" actions.
Any actions you privately already do or desire to do: Start a garden; plant as many trees as possible on your property and elsewhere and get our Mayor to remember Winnipeg's tree planting goal; save animals; speak for wildlife; help wildfire evacuees; volunteer--anywhere!; protect Women, children, animals, trees, forests, rivers/lakes or any sentient being from abuse; Speak up and refuse the "veil of silence" in the face of abuse, racism, sexism, discrimination of any kind, particularly the vulnerable, such as elderly people; do anything that is good and true because:
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke.
May Yaroslava's Demko's life, much of which, as with any of us, cannot be fully shared in this glimpse, nonetheless give hope and strength to all of you who are suffering.
May, all of You, be well and happy.
Alert: "Only get instructions/info on internet from Cropo or Winnipeg Free Press. Already scammers are trying to profit from my Mom's death so ignore echovita.com or other dodgy websites looking to scam. Be vigilant. echovita.com even wrote/added their own paragraphs to her obituary. Donate directly to legitimate organizations which touch your heart or to "those who serve" Mother Earth in a good, positive way, or do positive action-oriented work . Thank you and Metta. Yaroslava's daughter, Ollie"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 03, 2025