Vera Melnyk, age 92, has passed away peacefully at her home in Innisfil.

Vera was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, the only child of Volodymyr and Ivanna Rybak. During the Second World War, she and her parents became refugees. After a lengthy stay in a refugee camp in Germany, the family immigrated to Toronto in 1949.

She attended school in Toronto and became deeply involved in the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian scouting. Vera was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Catholic faith, which remained a guiding force throughout her life.

In 1953, Vera married her beloved husband, the late Dr. Ferdinand Melnyk, and together they raised four children: Roman, Zenon, Eugene, and Lydia.

Vera had a lifelong love of travel and was fortunate to see much of the world. Among her most cherished experiences were visiting the Great Wall of China and observing penguins in Antarctica.

Vera is survived by her children Roman Melnyk (Sonia) and Lydia Matjasec (née Melnyk) (Frank), and by her four grandchildren Adrian, Anna Theresa, Anna Grace, and Olivia. She will be lovingly remembered for her bright smile, her warmth, her sense of humour, her strong faith, and her deep devotion to her family.

Family and friends will be received for visitation at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will take place at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a private interment at Park Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), the Senators Community Foundation, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, or a charity of one’s choice.