It is with great sadness the family of Anna Kuzmik, late of Saskatoon, SK formerly of Prince Albert, SK announce her peaceful passing on October 28th, 2023, at the age of 102 years.

For 102 years, Mom loved her family, her culture, good food, and especially celebrations/gatherings that combined them all.  She fed everyone who came in the door the best of everything and for many years shared those talents cooking for weddings, fall suppers, as well as many other celebrations at St. George Ukrainian Catholic Hall in Prince Albert.  Everyone argues their mom and Baba makes the best perohy, holubtsi, and borscht but ours, of course, was #1.  When her grandsons needed cooking advice, they called her even if it was long distance from Toronto.  She made her last roaster of holubtsi for Ukrainian Christmas 2023 at the age of 101.

She was born with an ear for languages speaking Ukrainian at home and learning Polish from others in her home village of Sudova Vyshnya, Ukraine.  German was her next acquisition as in the fall of 1941 she began nine years living in Germany first as a forced laborer on a farm in Poppenreuth, Bavaria.  This is where she met and married Dad and acted as interpreter for many until they left for Canada in September 1950.

From a small family of four putting down roots in Prince Albert, the family grew to 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one very special great-great-grandson.  She was so excited to learn about her great-great-granddaughter on the way.

For 102 years, she spoke her mind, told us what to do, and could start conversations with anyone anywhere.  She noticed small details and was a great judge of character.  She had the soul of an adventurer and loved to travel.  Her hands were never still.  She could duplicate any knitted garment just by looking at it.  Her garden yielded an abundance of fruit and vegetables and bloomed all summer long.  She handstitched wool quilts and made feather pillows in the winter.  Dad built her a loom in the basement so that she could make rugs.

With no trepidation or regrets and after living alone for 4 years after Dad died, she chose to move to Saskatoon for new adventures at the age of 88.  There, she discovered she loved shrimp, Vietnamese fish sauce, Sunday brunch at the Delta Bessborough, making new friends and participating in various hijinx at her day program, cheering for the Riders, festivals in the park, and the support to do whatever she wanted.  She marveled at computer technology allowing her to speak to her sister in Ukraine “like she’s in the next room.”  And in her final year, when the weight of 102 years was too much for her body, she told all her caregivers, “I love you.”  When I asked her about this she said, “I don’t want them to drop me.”

Thank you to all who helped care for her in her last years and allowed her to live her best life at home to the end.

In lieu of flowers, if you are able, please consider helping the people of Mom’s homeland by donating to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation or other humanitarian efforts to assist displaced Ukrainians.  Just as Baba and Dido Kosowan did for her family many years ago.

A Visitation will be held for Anna on Friday, November 3rd, 2023, at 7 PM at MacKenzie Chapel in Prince Albert, SK. A Funeral Service will be held for Anna on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at 10 AM, with burial to follow at South Hill Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family on our website at www.mackenziechapel.ca.  Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium.  Brian & Bev Stobbs, Mark Gyoerick, Jordyn Jacobson – Mel Curle. 306.763.8488.

• Date : 2023-10-28
• Location : Saskatoon, SK formerly of Prince Albert, SK