August 14, 1928 - December 22, 2022

On a cold -27C Thursday afternoon, December 22nd, 2022, at 2:54 p.m., Josephine passed away quietly and peacefully at the age of ninety-four years and 130 days with her son at her side, after enduring a lengthy and gradual loss of her unique personality, identity and independence.

Josephine’s passing marks the final chapter of the Peter and Paraskevia Yurkiw homesteading pioneer family (SW 4-60-20 W4) of Radway, Alberta. Her memory will be remembered and forever cherished by her only son, Cornell; sisters-in-law, Ceres Yurkiw and Hellana Yurkiw; nieces, Elaine (Svitich), Iris (Dach), Pat (Rusnak), Sonia (Holowach), Jean (Makarowski), Shirley (Gordon), Terry (Ford), Lori (Longpre), Sylvia (Brown) and Melody (Johnson); nephews, Orest Bereziuk, Dennis Yurkiw, Richard Shefchuk, Alvin Stefaniuk and Bruce Yurkiw; as well as extended family and friends.

Josie was predeceased by her husband and inseparable soul mate of sixty-seven years, Steve (1924-2016); parents, Peter Yurkiw (1892-1966) and Paraskevia (Hrycun, 1898-1989); five brothers, John (1918-1996), Bill (1919-2000), Paul (1923-2003), Nick (1924-1998), and Joseph (1931-2018); two sisters, Annie (Shefchuk, 1920-2007) and Mary (Bereziuk, 1926-2018); sisters-in-law, Katherine (Meleshko, 1920-1994), Bessie (Kent, 1920-1997), Victoria (Wolansky, 1923-2004) Stefaniuk, Jessie (Onyschuk, 1920-2012) and Anne (Stefaniuk, 1927-2015) Sumka; brothers-in-law, Steve Shefchuk (1905-1990), Steve Bereziuk (1913-1996), Michael Stefaniuk (1921-1998) and Russ Sumka (1926-2002); nephews, Lawrence Yurkiw (1954-2007), David Yurkiw (1955-2020), Eugene Stefaniuk (1948-1921), Nestor Yurkiw (1942-2022) and Russell Yurkiw (1951-2022); and one niece, Debbie (Sumka, 1950-2010).

Josie was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Radway and daily experienced the sacrifices and hardships of growing up on a farming homestead during a unique period of time in Alberta’s history, which will never be replicated, when the numerous conveniences of life that are now taken for granted were absent. Those early days of rural family life instilled in Josie an enviable, unquestioning, determined work ethic and a quiet, humble character of kindness, understanding and empathy that prevailed throughout her life.

Josie immensely enjoyed her school years at Shakespeare School District #3385 (1917-1956) and Radway High School District #2136 (1910-1950). After completing her early formal education in 1945, Josie attained her goal of attending Normal School at the U of A in Edmonton and becoming a teacher in May 1947. Her first teaching assignment was at the isolated one room Grade 1 to 8 Danube School, northwest of Newbrook, Alberta. It was here that she caught the attention of Steve, a local hardworking young man.

After courtship and marriage (08/28/1948) at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Radway by Reverend Vencentylo, the newlyweds resided nearby in Newbrook. Josie continued teaching at local schools: Moose Horn School District #4598 (2 years), Wisla School District #4555, Newbrook School District #4162 and Darling School District #3452. At these schools, Josie was dedicated to her students and community and especially enjoyed creating enrichment concerts with Ukrainian dance, recitation and drama skits that were presented to parents.

After her only son, Cornell was born in 1951 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Radway, Josie focused on motherhood and developing her homemaking skills: cooking, baking, canning, sewing, crocheting, Ukrainian embroidery and Easter Egg (pysanka) decorating.

In 1953, in order to seek greater employment opportunities for her husband, Steve, the young family relocated, first to Jasper Place (10335-159 Street NW) and then to newly developed residential districts in Edmonton (1955, Dovercourt, 12405 - 141 Street NW and finally in 1978 to Castle Downs, 17308 - 101 Street NW).

In the city, Josie resumed teaching with Edmonton Roman Catholic Separate School District #7: Our Lady of Lourdes ( 9825 - 158 Street NW), Sacred Heart (9624 - 108 Avenue), St. Marks (11625 - 135 Street NW), St. Pius X (12214 - 128 Street NW) and St. Rita (11634 - 142 Street NW).

After retiring early from the classroom, Josie was seconded by Alberta Education to assist developing the first primary reading curriculum for the
new English Ukrainian Bilingual School program, which began in 1974 by
the Edmonton Roman Catholic Separate School District. This initial curriculum resulted in co-authoring the publication of several illustrated Ukrainian readers and exercise books that are still in use today.

Being a close-knit family was always a priority for Josie and throughout her life she focused on organizing regular get-togethers with a special emphasis on Ukrainian traditions during Christmas and Easter. All forms of the homemaking skills developed in her formative years were highlighted. Josie never neglected her Ukrainian Heritage, Ukrainian Catholic faith and being a proud Albertan and Canadian.

After their son completed his University Education, Steve and Josie took early retirement in order to focus on their ‘golden years’. Especially enjoyable were numerous cruises and snowbird adventures touring Canada and the US by truck and camper. The highlight was a very memorable European trip to Steve’s relatives and Ukrainian place of birth, Ternopil (Region), Buchach (District), Stinka (Village) in 1986.

Steve and Josie focused on an active and healthy lifestyle and were fortunate to be able to remain independent in their family home in Castle Downs until declining health necessitated a move when they were in their late eighties. They were both able to relocate to Capital Care Dickinsfield (14225 - 94Street) until Steve’s passing in April 2016 at the age of ninety-two years and sixty-eight days. With innate inner strength, stamina and determination, Josephine continued to valiantly persevere as cognitive and physical declines took its inevitable toll.

Her son is eternally grateful to the many healthcare providers and Dr. Adam Parrish at Capital Care Dickinsfield ‘Main A’ for their dedicated kindness, gentle and unwavering compassionate care for Josephine
and Steve.

Prayer Service Wednesday, December 28 at 6 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 – 111 Avenue, Edmonton. Divine Liturgy Thursday, December 29 at 10 a.m. at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church, 9003 – 153 Avenue. Reverend Janko Herbut officiating with interment beside her husband at St. Michael’s Cemetery (Section 32, Block 017, Graves 11-12) and near her three brothers and their wives John/Jessie, Paul/Katherine and Joseph and Castle Down neighbours in Sections 28, 30, 32 and 34. To view a livestream of the service, please visit www.parkmemorial.com and select “Webcasting” from Josie’s Book of Memories.

If so desired, a memorial donation may be made in Josephine Stefaniuk’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories or to a charity of choice.

Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories

Eternal Memory
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