IN MEMORIAM: Sofia Lemeza
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sofia Lemeza (nee Bogdan) on March 21st, 2025 at the age of 94 at the UCC nursing home. Predeceased by her loving husband Michal, her parents, and her 4 sisters. Loving mother to Alexander (Marusia) and Peter (Kimberley), Babstya (or grandmother) to Stephanie, Tiana, and Michal, and Tyotya Sonia (or Aunt) to our cousins. She will dearly be missed by her family, extended family, and friends. Always remembered for her zest for life, her beautiful smile, and her kindness, warmth, strength, and positive attitude. Sofia was born in Polissia, Ukraine on August 15th, 1930. During the Second World War, her family worked on a farm in Germany. After the war, they settled in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she was a nanny for a doctor’s children. They moved to Toronto, Canada in the mid 1950’s, where she met her loving husband of 40 years, Michal. They were proud members of Saint Volodymyr’s Cathedral on Bathurst St. and helped out and volunteered at both the church and at Camp Kiev in Oakville. They loved to dance together at zabavas, weddings, and other functions. Mom loved hosting our extended family during holidays and special occasions, and was often the life of the party. Sofia encouraged us to be respectful, hard-working, and showed us tough love at times. She encouraged us to remain active, through extracurricular activities such as Ukrainian school, Sunday school, choirs, sports, and especially Ukrainian dancing. The wonderful loving times spent with her grandchildren at her homes and at Lake Simcoe will not be forgotten. Sofia had a gift for languages and spoke Ukrainian, English, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian, often speaking to our friends in their mother tongues when at our house. For the past 9 years, she was compassionately cared for by the dedicated staff at the Ukrainian Care Centre, for whom we are incredibly grateful. Sofia will be fondly remembered for her determination, dedication and lasting contributions that she made in the Ukrainian-Canadian community which she profoundly impacted.
The funeral took place on March 31, 2025 at the St Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery.
May her memory be eternal!
