Obituary of Stefania 'Baba' Fenkanyn
Stefania "Baba" Fenkanyn, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2014 after a lengthy illness of Dementia.
She was born on February 2, 1925 in Ternopil-Buchach, Ukraine. She married Hryhorij (Harry) Fenkanyn on February 27, 1949. They immigrated for a better life to the United States in November of 1950, first to St. Joseph, Missouri and then to Akron from a displaced camp in Germany, fleeing after being forced out of Poland. She retired from the Akron House & Factory Cleaning Company after almost 30 years of service. Mrs. Fenkanyn was a member of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, BVM Sodality and Soyuz Ukrainok #7. Mom was a spunky 4'-11" pure treasure with a heart as big as all outdoors, and a sense of humor and smirk that could melt your heart. Blessed with a green thumb, mom loved being outside with her vegetable and flower gardens, especially roses. She was a great cook and baker known for her perogies, holubchi, potato salad and paska. Mom had a weakness for Bananas. She was very talented in cross-stitching and embroidery.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Michal and Maria Gruszecki; step-mother, Agnes; husband, Harry in 1993; and siblings, Favrona, Anna, Marcela and Franek. Left to mourn her loss are her daughters, Mary (Roman) Kostiuk and Irene Fenkanyn; son, John (Renee) Fenkanyn; sister, Apolonia Gruszecki of Akron; brother, John Gruszecki of Tasmania, Australia; grandchildren, Gloria (Craig) Gates, Nancy Kostiuk, Jennifer Fenkanyn and Michael Fenkanyn; and other relatives in Ukraine and Poland. The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Unit of Summa Health Systems City Hospital for their kind care.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron, Ohio 44301, followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1866 Brown St. Akron, Ohio 44301. Fr. Vsevolod Shevchuk officiating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron. The family will receive friends Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home where a Parastas service will be held at 7 p.m. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)