Obituary of Anastasia Chytra
Anastasia (Kaczor) Chytra passed away peacefully on July 13th 2019, in her 93rd year. She was born October 10, 1926 in Horajec, Ukraine to Ivan and Maria. Pre-deceased by her husband Nestor (1991), older siblings, Michael, Anna and Katherine and daughter in law Hanya (1985).
In 1941 at the age of 15, she was taken from her village to work as a forced domestic labourer in Germany. As the war progressed she was transferred to work in an armaments factory. During her time there, she survived Allied air strikes[MOU1] against the factory.
In 1945, her concentration camp was liberated by American soldiers and she was transferred to a refugee camp[MOU2] Munster lager in Germany, where she met her future husband, Nestor, and in 1948 they married. In 1949 Nestor Sr. immigrated to Canada arriving at Pier 21, Halifax. He was able to bring his wife Anastasia with little Nestor in 1950. Their son Zenon and daughter Julia were born in Sudbury.
In 1958 Anastasia opened a small restaurant in Sudbury. She operated this restaurant for many years, hiring a few of her friends to work as waitresses.
In 1964 Anastasia decided that the family should move to Ontario’s south and St. Catharines was chosen as their next home.
Anastasia owned and operated “Michael’s Lunch” at the corner of Lake St. and Wellington Ave. in St. Catharines, each member of her family having a role in the operation of the business. After selling the restaurant, Anastasia worked as housekeeping staff at Brock University until she retired.
A natural leader, Anastasia was active in the Ukrainian Canadian community. She was a president of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, a member of the Ukrainian Black Sea Hall, Sts. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and Myrhorod . She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, joining many choirs. Anastasia had a talent for embroidery and writing pysanky. She was stylish, loved to decorate her home in the newest trends and was a generous hostess.
In her later years, Anastasia again found love and companionship with Jaroslaw Hudyma, and they married in St. Catharines in 2002. They spent several happy years together before his death in 2005.
Anastasia was a dedicated mother and she cherished her children Nestor, Zenon (Mary) and Julia (Dan Kalynowsky), 6 granddaughters Lesia (Levco Wynnyckyj), Halia (Gaetano Barrila), Olena (Katy Young), Laura, Tia, and Alexa. She found much joy in her great-grandsons Leo, David and Andrew.
The family would like to thank the staff at Linhaven Home (Merritt) for their care of our mother for the last 2 years. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, July 16th from 2-4p.m. & 6-8p.m. Panachyda will take place on Tuesday at 7p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, 11 Rolls Ave. St. Catharines on Wednesday, July 17th at 10a.m. Burial at Victoria Lawn Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sts. Cyril & Methodius building fund or a charity of your choice.
Vichnaya Pamyat!