Dobr. Anna Zmiyiwsky, a resilient and remarkable soul, passed away peacefully in the arms of the Lord and with her family by her side on November 20, 2023 at the age of 97. Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine on November 4, 1926, Anna's life was a testament to the indomitable spirit of a woman who overcame unimaginable challenges and dedicated herself to her family, her faith and the Ukrainian community.

Anna was born to Volodymyr and Uliana Burkotenko (nee Paramanoff) and as a young child, she was a witness to the Holodomor as well as the horrors of World War II. At the tender age of 15, Anna was taken to Nazi Germany as a forced labourer, and after the war, found herself in aDisplaced Persons Camp.

In February of 1947, Anna married the love of her life, Pavlo Zmiyiwsky, a union that would endure for an incredible 70 years. Together, they embarked on a journey that eventually led them to Canada, and in 1951 they settled in Winnipeg. In 1958, Pavlo was ordained as a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Zmiyiwsky family. Anna embraced her role as both a loving mother and devoted priest’s wife (Dobrodiyka). Together with Fr. Pavlo, their family ‘s path would find them serving Ukrainian Orthodox parishes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Anna was a loving mother to Dr. Basil (Zenovia), Dr. Oleh (Daria) and Peter (Oksana), a cherished grandmother to Dr. Paul (Nadia), Dr. Mark (Dr. Erika Ynga), Viera, Andrew (Lisa), Mira (Kevin Tersigni), Adrian (Erin), Oles and Markian, and a proud great-grandmother to Basil, Luke, Stefanie, Isabella, Mark, Oleh, Riley, Amelia, Benedict, and Aria. She’ll be fondly remembered by her sister Vera (Marv Nenych), and their children Greg and Laura. Anna was predeceased by her parents, her brother Vasyl, and her beloved husband, The Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Pavlo Zmiyiwsky.

Panakhyda will take place at 7:30 pm at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 3338 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke on Tuesday, November 28 with the Orthodox Rite of Funeral to take place on Wednesday, November 29 at 10:00 am. Interment at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery in Oakville.

Вічная пам’ять – May her memory be eternal!