In Memory of

Nadjia

Aleksiejan

(Hasniuk)

Obituary for Mrs. Nadjia Aleksiejan (Hasniuk)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Nadjia Aleksiejan, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother in St. Joseph's Hospital on December 3, 2018 at age 93, after a brief illness. Mom was able to continue living in her own home until her illness this past summer. Mom was born on December 1, 1925 in Szezebliew, Ukraine where she lived on a farm with her loving family. In 1932, when the Holodomor or "Great Famine" struck the Ukraine, she had to eat sweet flowers and grass to survive. On May 1, 1933, no longer able to provide for her daughter, Mom's mother sent her to Kiev by train to become a ward of the state. After a two-week stay in an orphanage, she was sent to a foster home on a farm where she was able to continue her schooling. In 1941, War came to the Ukraine. In April 1942, she was taken to Germany to work on a farm. In May 1945, she was sent to an American Camp in Germany where she met and married a Polish soldier, Boleslaw "Bill" Aleksiejan, at the end of the War. They welcomed their daughter Helen in April 1946 in Germany. In September 1947, they emigrated to Belgium where their son Ted was born in December 1947. Bill worked in the coal mines for six years until they emigrated to Canada in 1953, settling in Port Arthur. Their family grew with the addition of sons Ed in August 1954 followed by Robert "Bobby" in 1962.

Mom was a homemaker but did work part-time in the kitchen at Diamond Café and Pang's Chinese Restaurant for many years. She was an excellent cook and her pierogies, cabbage rolls, borscht and preserves were unparalleled. She was the kindest, most gentle, generous and caring person you could ever meet. She would dispense wise advice in that soft-spoken way that made you stop and listen. Family meant everything to her. She cherished family gatherings and always enquired about far away family members.

Mom is predeceased by her parents Katerina and Andrew Hasniuk, her sisters Tatyana and Vera, her brother Alexander, her beloved husband Bill, and her youngest son Bobby.

Left to mourn her are daughter Helen (Eddy) Sundberg; sons Ted (Marion) Aleksiejan and Ed (Johanne) Aleksiejan; grandchildren Cynthia Sundberg (Rick Endrulat), Kevin (Tammy) Sundberg, Andrew (Rita) Aleksiejan, Eric Aleksiejan, Stephen (Elina) Aleksiejan; and great grandchildren Sierra and Henrik Sundberg.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Nucci and the nursing staff on 2B at Thunder Bay Regional for their exceptional care. We also wish to acknowledge the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital on 4 North and 5 North: Dr. Lee, Dr. Kolobov, Dr. Bon, Dr. Feldstein and the nursing staff for their compassion and their excellent care of our Mom. The guidance provided by Social Worker Elizabeth, Occupational Therapist Kim and Physiotherapist Rachel were also invaluable to us.

As per Mom's wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. A private interment will take place in St. Andrew's Cemetery at a later date. EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma in care of arrangements.

Should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Northern Cancer Fund, Wesway, Community Living Thunder Bay or a charity of your choice.