Josephine Pankiw passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025. She is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Michael Pankiw, her parents, original Ukrainian Pioneer Immigrants, Iwan Shuwera and Palahna Bogucki, her siblings, Bill (Olga), Matt (Sophie), Mike (Vera), Marie (Jack), Steve (Doris), Anne (George), John (Sylvia), Lynn (Alan), Peter, Pauline (John), Ben (Elaine), Marko, Olga, and Wilmer. Josephine is survived by her loving little sisters, Sophie (Andy, predeceased) and Elaine (Jim), her beloved children Steven (Lesia), John (Halyna), Lidia (Morgan), her beautiful grandchildren Zenon, Danya (fiancé Maxym), Lukie, Maya, Zoriana, Symon (Jenna) and their children Liam, Owen, and Caleb. She also has many lovely nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Josie was born in Caliento, Manitoba on September 29, 1931. One of seventeen siblings, she grew up on a homestead farm in a thatched-roof clay house built by her Tato. She had countless stories of her childhood, such as when she smuggled a piglet into her house and fed it milk from her sister’s baby bottle. That did not end well. Mom attended a one-room schoolhouse, Strand School, a 4 km walk from home. Her days were filled with chores and adventures with her siblings. Though life wasn’t easy, mom spoke fondly of her upbringing, especially the valuable life lessons she learned from her parents and her strong ties with her sisters and brothers.

She met her handsome husband at a church dance in Winnipeg. They married June 21, 1951. Shortly thereafter they moved to Toronto and together launched Trident-Alberta Fuel Oil, a successful family business with strong community ties.

Josie was an avid gardener, nature lover, baker, visual artist, and a card shark. She enjoyed spending summers at Cawaja Beach with her family and friends. She delighted in purchasing bushels and baskets of seasonal fruits and vegetables which she and her husband would pickle and preserve. We’d all look forward to Baba’s famous strawberry-rhubarb jam and cinnamon bread. In her later years, Josie was fond of sitting in her favourite chair next to a window overlooking her garden and the Humber River.

Above all, Josie loved her family and cared deeply about their well-being. She was generous, thoughtful and fun to be with.

We would like to thank the staff, volunteers, and Dr. Haq at Dorothy Ley Hospice for taking such good care of mom for the last two months, as well as mom’s oncologist Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley for her exceptional support.

Вічная Пам’ять наша дорога Мама і Баба.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dorothy Ley Hospice or to Canada-Ukraine Foundation.