In Celebration of

Anastasia Belbas

January 6, 1915 -  November 26, 2019

In the early morning of November 26th 2019, just shy of her 105th birthday, Anastasia Belbas (nee Sokoluk) passed away peacefully.
Beloved wife of the late Wasyl Belbas, loving mother to Elizabeth (the late Steve Bokla), adoring grandmother to Lesia (William Petruck) and James (Lorraine De Acetis) and her great grandchildren, Alexandra, Mitchell, Lucas and Brianne.
Anastasia was the first of 4 children born to her parents Maria and Konstantine Sokoluk. She was born in the small village of Hanusowce in Western Ukraine on Christmas Eve (January 6, 1915).
When Anastasia was 6, her father left the family to work at an outpost in Manitoba for CN Rail. Five years later, her mother and siblings travelled across the Atlantic where they were reunited in Canada in 1927.
In January 1935, Anastasia married her beloved husband Wasyl. They then moved to Souris Manitoba where their daughter Elizabeth soon followed.
In 1942, they moved to Toronto. That same week, they became members of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Parish. Both Anastasia and Wasyl became active members of the Parish by volunteering and sitting on many administrative committees. They worked hard fundraising in order to build the beautiful cathedral that continues to serve the community today.
When Wasyl passed away in 1973, Anastasia filled her time caring for her adoring grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her everything. She continued volunteering as President of the Ukrainian Women’s League and President of the National Women’s KYK Organization. She was an avid baker, gardener and family matriarch.
In 2000, Anastasia was very proud to be among the first Canadians to receive the Ontario Volunteer award for 50 years of service.
Anastasia remained fiercely independent, living in her own house until the age of 99.
In 2014, she moved to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre where Dr. Bitonti and the wonderful staff whose compassion and professional care helped her live the remainder of her years in a warm, spiritual and home-like Ukrainian setting. Her presence will be greatly missed by all.
Mother, Baba and friend will be dearly missed.
Visitation: Thursday November 28th, 2019 from 4:00pm-8:00pm at Turner & Porter, Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street W, M6S 1P4. Panahyda 5:30pm.
The funeral service will take place on Friday November 29th, 2019 at 1:00pm
St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 400 Bathurst Street, Toronto, M5T 2S6

Guestbook 

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Bruce Newton (Neighbour)

Entered November 28, 2019 from Winnipeg Rd

It was an honour having Mrs. Belbas as a neighbour for so many years. Such an outgoing active friendly person who always made you feel welcomed.

S. Ellis 

Entered November 28, 2019

I wish you comfort during your sorrow. The Bible promises that your loved one will come back to life in the resurrection to a peaceful paradise on the earth. (John 5:28, 29)

Life Stories 

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James Bokla (Grandson)

Entered November 28, 2019 from Mississauga

Anastasia Belbas (nee Sokoluk)

Anastasia was the first of 4 children born to her parents Maria and Konstantine Sokoluk. She was born on Christmas Eve, January 6, 1915, in the small village of Hanusowce in Western Ukraine.

When Anastasia was 6, her father left the family to work at an outpost in Manitoba for CN Rail. Five years later, her mother and siblings travelled across the Atlantic where they arrived in Canada in 1927.

With unreliable mail service, there was no word of the family’s arrival when they stepped off the train on a snowy day in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. Luckily, the wife of another rail worker who was at the station to pick up mail that morning, saw the tired and hungry children with their mother. She knew this must be the family of Konstantine and took them to the boxcar that was set up as his home.

Anastasia vividly remembered the moment when the family was reunited. Shortly after, the family moved to the small town of Angusville where Anastasia looked forward to attending school. Her dream of an education ended almost before it began, when her uncle was left widowed with a new born and 4 other young children. Anastasia was removed from school and sent to another town to provide all the homemaking necessities for this young family. She recalled trying to make bread while both she and the baby were in tears. Everything she had learned from her mother was all she had to find a way to put food on the table 3 times per day.

A year later, when her uncle remarried, Anastasia returned home but only briefly. Her newly acquired homemaking skills attracted the attention of the local judge whose wife was left alone for long periods of time while he provided court services in various nearby towns.

Anastasia’s strong faith and resilience made her even more determined to be the best she could be at whatever she would do, even without a formal education.

Anastasia married her husband Wasyl in January of 1935. They moved to Souris Manitoba and had 1 daughter, Elizabeth.

In 1942, they moved to Toronto. That same week, they became members of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Parish. Both Anastasia and Wasyl became active members of the Parish by volunteering and sitting on many administrative committees. They worked hard fundraising in order to build the beautiful cathedral that continues to serve the community today.

When Wasyl passed away in 1973, Anastasia filled her time caring for her adoring grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her everything. She continued volunteering as President of the Ukrainian Women’s League and President of the National Women’s KYK Organization. She continued to be an avid baker, gardener, wise investor and the family matriarch.

In 2000, Anastasia was very proud to be among the first Canadians to receive the Ontario Volunteer award for 50 years of service.

Anastasia remained fiercely independent, living in her own house until the age of 99. Her entire life was spent caring more for others than for herself.

In 2014, she moved to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre where Dr. Bitonti and the wonderful staff whose compassion and professional care helped her live the remainder of her years in a warm, spiritual and home-like Ukrainian setting. Her presence will be greatly missed by all.

No words can explain just how much Mother, Baba and friend will be missed. Her kindness, love and devotion will never be forgotten.

Photos 

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