Obituary of Zenia Anna Lukey
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our amazing mom Zenia Anne Lukey. On Monday February 27th, 2023, Mom was called home to be with the Lord. Born April 5th on the Family farm in Ituna Saskatchewan in 1937, she was the daughter of a Ukrainian Immigrant from Ivano-Frankivsk (formerly Stamslaviv Ukraine) located in the Carpathian Mountains. Her father was a high ranking official in the Polish Ukrainian Army during WW1. After being arrested on his wedding day, putting his own life on the line he escaped a prison camp 3 days before his scheduled execution. He fled for Canada through Europe and landed in Montreal for a better life. This explains mom’s resilience and incredible work ethic as she and dad were quite the entrepreneurs. From owning a Red and White store in Copper Cliff Ontario to a Hotel in Niagara Falls in the late 60’s to owning and operating several Avondale stores in St. Catharines, Westdale Variety on Louth Street and a catering business.
Zenia eventually made her way to Sudbury Ontario where across the street lived our father, Matt Lukey. Mom and Dad were married for 49 years before Matt’s passing in 2005. Loving mom to Rod, Cordell (Margaret) and Chris (Jill). Known as Bubba to 4 amazing Grandchildren Mathew, (Lisa), Colton, (Ally) Dawson and Ava.
Mom was well known as the perogy lady as she cooked and fed all our friends and the neighborhood kids growing up. Mom continued cooking with love as she proudly fed the boys at the Fire Station as well. Mom was a devoted Ukrainian Catholic and was a proud member of Sts. Cyril and Methodious Ukrainian Catholic Church and then a founding member of St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church on Lakeshore Road in St. Catharines. Immensely proud of her heritage mom had Ukrainian treasures and nick knacks all over the house. Zenia was a faithful servant to the Lord and never wavered in her faith, we know with great certainty that those country roads you so often sang about are now taking you home to your rightful place in the Lord’s kingdom. Our family finds great comfort in knowing mom and dad are reunited again in heaven. You both can rest now. Heaven needs you more. We will never forget the love and lessons you and dad taught us. Your three boys are doing just fine, and you have four of the greatest grandkids you can ever imagine. We love you mom, A life well lived. God bless you.
Friends will be welcomed for visitation at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Friday March 3rd from 11:00 am to 1:00pm, a service at the funeral home will take place immediately following visitation and the interment will be at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. As per moms wishes donations can be made to the Humanitarian Aide for Ukrainian Fund, Through St. Johns Ukrainian Catholic Church Link:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/70605?v2=true