It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of beloved Mama and Baba -- Nadia Pelensky (nee Lojowsky).

Nadia, a.k.a. "Buffy" passed away peacefully after a series of health challenges. She is predeceased by her husband and partner of over 50 years Michael Pelensky and her father Ivan Lojowsky.

She leaves behind her devoted daughters Tanya Pelensky and Adria Pruchnicky (Adrian) and her beautiful grandchildren Luka, Deanna, Rayisa and Avyanna. She also leaves behind her mother Walentina, sister Olga and brother Jaroslaw (Luba) as well as their families.

Nadia was born in Toronto on December 23rd, 1951. In her formative years, Nadia was part of many organizations in her local community, and she developed a deep love and appreciation for her native Ukrainian heritage. While her parents fled Ukraine as a result of WWII and she had never traveled outside of Canada, Nadia always felt a deep and profound connection to her Ukrainian roots. She played the bandura, performed Ukrainian dances, sang in the church choir and was a councillor at Sokil summer camp.

Nadia is a proud graduate of York University where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Geography. Her curiosity in Ukrainian urban development in Toronto led her to present a thesis on Migration of Ukrainian Immigrants within the city. Despite her interest in this field, her true passion was in teaching, and she achieved her Bachelor of Education in 1976. Teaching provided Nadia with an outlet of collaboration and creativity. Hired by the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate School Board (currently the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board), she went on to become a Specialist in Visual Arts and taught students in various divisions - from elementary to high school.

Outside of her career, Nadia was a devoted wife and mother. Nadia and her late husband Michael loved attending Zabavy to dance and socialize. It is at a friend's wedding where Michael asked her to dance, and she became the love of his life, wife and soulmate.They raised their daughters with hopes of instilling similar values from their upbringing. They spent many years together with their children travelling around Canada. No vacation was complete without a stop in Northumberland county, exploring beautiful landscapes, sampling delicious cuisine and checking out the local sites.

Nadia was a patron of many organizations over the years, including the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada (OYK). However, her most active and rewarding role was as Baba to her grand children. She loved dressing up at Halloween and seeing them in costumes, she would buy countless groceries to blend interesting smoothies and bake cookies, and collect various materials to make different arts and crafts projects while dancing and singing to music.

Nadia struggled with her health for many years which at times compromised her activity and relationships. She remained an extremely devoted and spiritual person, connecting deeper with her faith as challenges arose. When Michael passed in 2020, Nadia's heart was broken and she struggled without his support and companionship.

Nadia will be remembered for her creative spirit, vigorous energy and incredible style.

Vichnaya Pamyat.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., Toronto, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 for 6-9pm. Panahyda at 7:30pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 300 River Oaks Blvd., Oakville, on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 10am. Interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kosa Kolektiv's Folk Camp (http://www.folkcamp.ca/nadia-pelensky).