Obituary of Irene Zeleney

Irene (Irena) Zeleney, b. February 2, 1915, in Monastyrets, Ukraine; died peacefully on September 16, 2017, in Ridgetown, Ontario. Daughter of the late Reverend Jurij and Evhenia (Skitsko) Bodnar. Predeceased by her loving husband, Rostyslav Zeleney, and sisters Maria Popadiuk (Lialia) and Marta Bodnar (Tukha). Survived by her loving children Anne Sanford (David), George Zeleney (Nina), and Darlene (Didi) Zeleney; grandchildren Daria Sanford (Nils Mellquist), Andrew Zeleney, Adriana Zeleney (Olaf Bulmahn), and Kate Sanford Spingarn (Evan); and great-grandchildren David Zeleney, William Mellquist, Nora Spingarn, Marlow Mellquist, and Georgia Bulmahn. Will be fondly remembered by her niece, Joanna Popadiuk (Arnold Moodenbaugh), and nephew, Andrew Popadiuk (Slavka), and by the many members of her extended family and friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, generosity, good humour, and, not least, with her heavenly cooking and baking. Having fled Ukraine with her family before the end of the Second World War, Irene emigrated to Canada in 1948. She worked with great dedication throughout her life in Canada to support the Ukrainian community in Windsor, serving as secretary of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and as president and secretary of the Organization of Ukrainian Women for many years. A special thanks goes out to the caring staff of the Village on the Ridge, in Ridgetown, Ontario. Visitation at WINDSOR CHAPEL (South Chapel) 3048 Dougall Ave 519-253-7234 on Friday, September 22, 2017, from 7 to 9 p.m. Panakhyda at 8 p.m. Family and friends will be received at Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Church (601 Lake Trail Drive " Southwood Lakes, east of Howard Ave) on Saturday, September 23, 2017, for the Order of Burial at 10 a.m., officiated by Rev. Fr. Tom Hrywna. Interment to follow at Windsor Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to the Ukrainian National Federation, Windsor Branch, or to a charity of your choice.