Obituary of Mary Filenko
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Mary Filenko. Mary passed away peacefully in her ninty-fourth year on December 3rd, 2023 surrounded by her family. Mary was predeceased by her husband Mykola (Nick) (1992) and many friends.
Mary was born on December 13th, 1929 to Pavlo and Anastasia Lysanewitch in Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine. Mary left Ukraine during World War II and settled in Canada, later bringing her parents and sister to safety with her. After moving to Canada, Mary reconnected with the love of her life, Nick Filenko. They married in 1957 and had three children: Lena (Warren), Nina (John) and Victor (Sherry). Mary is survived by her children and grandchildren Garry, Beth, Sasha, Kassie, Adam, Natasha, Jonathan, Jordan, Victoria and Tyson, and eleven great grandchildren.
Mary enjoyed many hobbies which she will be remembered for including singing, cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Whether she was spending hours outside carefully tending to her lush gardens, or in the kitchen cooking borscht and varenyky, she worked tirelessly for the ones she loved, singing and smiling while she did. Mary was steadfast in her faith and a member of St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She was an active member of St. George’s choir and performed at numerous local events as well as singing for services each Sunday.
Mary’s family and friends meant the world to her and she was a fiercely dedicated mother, baba and friend to all. She was the ultimate matriarch of our family, the hostess to decades of holiday gatherings, and the magnet that repeatedly brought us all together. Mary was a cook, a caroler, a card-shark, and a confidante. She worked hard, and she loved even harder. Mary brought joy and laughter into the world and was a ray of sunshine in everyone’s lives. Mary will continue to be an inspiration and role-model to her family.
The family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 585 Carlton St. on Tuesday, December 5th from 6:30 to 8pm. Panachyda at 7Pm. Funeral Liturgy on Wednesday, December 6th at 10am at St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 8 Augusta Ave. Interment Victoria Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary’s name to the Alzheimer Society of the Niagara Region.