Josie Stepanik
JANUARY 11, 1926 – NOVEMBER 19, 2021
On Friday, November 19, 2021. Josie (Josie Catherine) Stepanik (nee Atamaniuk) passed away, peacefully, after a night in the hospital following a fall.
Born January 11, 1926 in Western Ukraine, she emigrated to Canada in 1934 with her mother, Anna, to join her father, Wasyl, in Kenora. Here she married Nick (Dec 1990) Stepanik, a carpenter. Nick and Josie lived together on Ninth Street North, cultivated a large garden and raised Paul and Darlene, Josie worked as a cashier at Safeway for several years.
When her body slowed her down, she was happy to supervise Darlene and son-in-law Peter, as they tended a small portion of her garden. Though walking was difficult, she would help out with the watering.
She enjoyed the tomato harvest, loved strudel, French fries and bananas.
The doctor said she had good genes. At 95 Josie was taking no medications.
She attended, and was a member of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, the Ukrainian Literary Society and the Ukrainian Women's Association.
She led a quiet, humble life and was grateful for the food her family cooked for her and the errands they ran for her and the flowers and ice candles her neighbours, Carole and Neil gave to her, she never complained.
Her family made her happy, in addition to her devoted children, Paul and Darlene, Josie leaves behind her beloved sister Helen and nephew David DeGagne, her niece Denise Poirier and husband Glen and their children Jenna and Kaitlyn and son-in-law, Peter Kirby.
Vichnaya Paymat
A funeral service for Josie will be held Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 11:00 am at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Pastor Daren Gallivan officiating. Interment will follow at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Cathiolic Cemetery.
For current COVID rulings, those attending the service, proof of double vaccination and identification will be required for entry.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Stepanik family.