Lydia Curniski

Lydia (Elsie) Curniski (born Tarasiuk) (1922-2012)

Early life of Lydia Tarasiuk

On 15 May, 1922, Lydia (Elsie) Tarasiuk was born to John and Anastasia Tarasiuk in Volyn, Ukraine.

In 1929, Lydia (with her parents and sister) emigrated from Ukraine to Canada, to a desolate area of northern Saskatchewan near Prince Albert. These were the days when, for this family, a lamp consisted of some oil poured in a dish with a rag for a wick. As Lydia would put it, “You ran to school to keep warm”.

Lydia was the oldest of 6 children. When her young mother fell ill, Lydia had to quit school early and she became the “mother” of the family, because her mother was hospitalised.

In school, her teacher changed her name from Lydia to Elsie, something done quite often in the era of the assimilation of “New Canadians”. This was not a "legal" change of name : the teacher would simply not use her given name, but call her Elsie instead. In many schools, and in other institutions of Canadian society, names that were not "English"-sounding were often changed arbitrarily. In Lydia's case, that reason did not apply, since "Lydia" is well-known in English, so the teacher probably simply disliked the name.

In 1930, at the beginning of the Great Depression, there was joy in the family when they received a bag of old clothes and quilts from the Blaine Lake Doukhobors, where Lydia’s father had found brief employment stooking sheaves of grain.

The family grew. By age 14, Lydia was dodging the truant officer as she helped her father load boxcars of wood for sale from northern Saskatchewan.

Early life of Joseph Sylvester Curniski

On 14 January, 1918, Joseph Sylvester Curniski was born in Claytonville, Saskatchewan (34 km/21 mi northeast of Prince Albert), to John and Mary Magdalene Curniski.

With his birth, the family came to number 6 children in all (he was the youngest).

Joseph received his education in the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, area.

Marriage, 1938

Before long, Joseph Curniski was coming to the district where the Tarasiuks lived on Sundays to visit.

When Lydia met him at a school picnic, she was wearing a flour-sack blouse which was sewn and embroidered in the latest fashion by her mother. It was a wonderful romance, as he would come to visit his relatives in the area, and then he would come walking down the railway track to see her. She would have a “feeling” that he was coming that Sunday afternoon, and she would start walking down the railway track ; and then, in the distance, she would see him walking towards her.

Then, at age 16, on 2 October, 1938, she married Joseph Curniski.

Following this, to the end of her life, Lydia was a stylish dresser, and she carried her outfits beautifully. She had good taste.

Joe and Lydia lived with his parents on their farm at Claytonville near Prince Albert, since there was by that time space in the house. Lydia would talk of those early days with very great respect for her in-laws. They would divide the work, with her mother-in-law doing the indoor work and Lydia doing chores outside.

Being 16, Lydia still found chances to slide down the haystack a few times for recreation. Her mother-in-law was a mid-wife, and she also practiced naturopathic medicine while she was helping people in the community.

Centrality of the Orthodox Church

Joseph and Lydia were also dedicated to their Orthodox Christian Faith.

Whenever they moved to a community that did not have an Orthodox church, they rallied the community. Within a year a church would be built, notably in the case of Saint Mary Dormition Orthodox Church in Nipawin, and of All Saints Orthodox Church in Meadow Lake.

Only a few years before her repose, Lydia paid a visit to the Temple in Meadow Lake, for which she had embroidered a whole set of altar cloths as she had done also for the Temple in Nipawin. They were also a founding family of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, and they were involved in a missionary outreach in Prince Albert.

Work leads to entrepreneurship

Equal work, equal wages

Joe and Lydia would soon begin a nomadic life style – they were not interested in a farming life, and they were lured to Ontario for available work. It was here that the young Lydia’s character was clearly displayed. This young couple went to work in the strawberry fields, where Lydia toiled shoulder to shoulder with the men. However, at the end of the month, the owner decided she should be paid half of the wages of men. This teenaged woman stood up for her rights. She, on her own, took the owner to court and she won. All her life, she fought for justice and equality, and she won another case concerning injustice in Prince Albert at a later date.

Entrepreneurship, small businesses

When World War II broke out, the young couple were encouraged to return to Saskatchewan, where they began a life of owning small businesses (both in Saskatchewan and Alberta). Some of the businesses included : service stations, tourist cabins, a bottling (soft drink) franchise, a fast food outlet (1955), commercial logging, the “Prairie Gold” pasta manufacturing and grocery store. This is only to name a few of them. In time, a popular Saskatoon venue, “Lydia’s Restaurant”, was named in her honour.

In the midst of being entrepreneurs and moving, 3 children were born to them : Orest, Ronald and Savelia.

These 3 children all grew up to be healthy contributors to society, followed by their own children, nieces and nephews.

Lydia loved the outdoors. She was a born naturalist, and she was interested in every plant and its purpose. She would have made a wonderful "Noxious Weed Inspector", since she pursued weeds with a vengeance. She excelled in her knowledge of berries and mushrooms, so much so that people from the University of Saskatchewan would come to her to identify species. She and Joe loved ice-fishing. She kept herself very well informed of current events (from volcanoes in Iceland to the most recent tax hike) ; she loved to engage on political issues, and she would characteristically be embroidering while in heated debate. Her philosophy was simple – be a good entrepreneur with a social conscience. Her little house on Maple Avenue in Saskatoon was fondly called “My Little House on the Prairie”, and she was friends with people up and down the block, and throughout the neighbourhood.

Letter to the CRA

She once wrote a letter to Revenue Canada (now CRA) that really deserves to be framed (maybe it has been). The gist of it was : “I live in a house just a little bigger than my chicken coop in the 1930s, except I have electricity and running water. I live on a fixed income. You will not get a nickel more out of me, so if you want you can put me in jail. Only please, don’t send me in the winter as I have to make sure my heat stays on and my pipes don’t freeze.” She received a letter back saying she owed them $0.

Lydia was always curious about what was on the other side of the mountain, and in part this led her to move 29 times in her lifetime. Part of this lifestyle was also the quest to see interesting places. Joe and Lydia travelled parts of the globe from Hawaii to Northern Africa and Europe.

Founding a parish in Saskatoon, 1975

Joe and Lydia Curniski did not, as Orthodox Christians, have a narrow understanding of how the Orthodox Christian Faith might be lived out in Canada. It was not required to be limited to the use of Ukrainian language and culture (or of any other particular historically Orthodox Christian language or culture). They understood that the Orthodox Christian way of life is completely transferable, and that it was meant to be so from the beginning. The Orthodox Christian Faith can embrace, baptise and transform any language and culture into what it truly can become. This is particularly important to be understood if one hopes that one's children will grow up and continue to be Orthodox Christians in Canada.

Therefore, when events in Saskatoon developed in such a way that it became possible to establish an Orthodox Christian mission for the sake of English-speaking people who wished to grow in Christ, they were willing to participate. It was for this reason that, along with their daughter Savelia, they became founding members of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon soon after the Feast of Pascha in 1975.

In the 1980s, Lydia passed several winters embroidering Crosses for every woman in the parish to frame for their homes. Her whole-wheat perogies were “out of this world”, and she would make them especially for the children whom she knew loved them.

By 1985, the parish had grown so much that it was becoming overcrowded in its original building.

Holy Resurrection Church parishioners, 1985

Lydia was interested in everyone, young, old, or newly-born. One of her favourite friends was a dear Eritrean lady named Gabriella ; and when she passed away and was buried back in her country of Eritrea, Lydia said, “one of ours is there now”. Church was her salvation, and she often described with what joy she waited to enter it on a Sunday. Indeed, this joy was evident to all who encountered her as she approached the Temple. Her veneration of the Shroud of Christ on Passion Friday, 2011, took a wheelchair U-turn and 3 people to direct the traffic and manoeuvre her, but she was able to pay her due reverence with joyful devotion.

Second, larger Holy Resurrection Temple

Repose of Joseph, Widowhood, 1990

On Thursday, 27 September, 1990, Joseph Sylvester Curniski fell asleep in the Lord in City Hospital, Saskatoon.

On Sunday, 30 September, 1990, a Panikhida (Memorial Service) was offered by Archpriest Orest Olekshy and Priest Dennis Pihach in Holy Resurrection Church in Saskatoon.

On Monday, 1 October, 1990, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served by the Archpriest Orest Olekshy and Priest Dennis Pihach in Holy Resurrection Church, Saskatoon.

After the completion of the funeral services, the body of Joseph Curniski was interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon.

The honourary pallbearers were Tony Zahara, Nick Storoschuk and Bill (Wm.) Moldowan. The active pallbearers were Mel Curniski, Robert Curniski, Marvin Sachkowski, Robert Schiminosky, Rodney Luciuk and Yars Lozowchuk.

The repose in Christ of Joseph caused no small change in her life, but such a marriage in Christ allows His joy to permeate and assuage grief, sorrow and other such pain. It is because of their mutual love for one another in Christ that Lydia was able to persevere.

Continuing activity

In 1991, Lydia took the opportunity to visit relatives in Ukraine. There, she met cousins who were not even born at the time she and her parents left for Canada. In her later years, her dream was to visit the Maritimes and especially Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia (where she arrived in immigration to Canada). While she was there, she was delighted to find the record of their landing in Canada, the name and picture of the ship and the document recording their entire wealth at the time ($200).

Lydia made community wherever she was. She had a folk saying for everything in Ukrainian, and also a salty, natural response in English that broadened one’s vision and elicited a laugh from the hearer. She lived through tough times, but she never gave in to discouragement. She drew on the experiences of her own parents, in-laws and especially the Grace of the Church. She is an unforgettable person.

Lydia was truly an amazing woman, and she was fondly known as “Baba” (grandma) to all. She was always generous of her time, money and food to everyone around her. She will be remembered for her zest of life, love of the outdoors and yes, her strong-willed nature.

As must be obvious, Lydia was feisty and caring, outspoken yet reflective. Her life spanned 2 continents and various epochs of history, and anyone who met her would never forget her. It was her daughter, Savelia Curniski, the founder of NASHI, dedicated to fighting injustice to women in Ukraine, who named her restaurant Lydia’s Restaurant, and also Lydia’s Pub for her mother. They were housed in the “Queen” of the Broadway edifices, the 1912 Farnham Block.

A few years after Lydia’s repose, Savelia stood outside the crumbling Farnam Block where the restaurant had been. She looked at the farewells and memorabilia outside it. She said, “Rest in Peace Old Gal”. Savelia was probably referring to the building and the business, but of course she could easily have been referring to her mother at the same time. In 2015, the Farnham Block was demolished to make way for a newer structure.

Farnham Block, Saskatoon

During the last 20 years of her life, Lydia’s daughter Savelia became very active in helping to meet the needs of people living in Western Ukraine.

After 1990 and the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the residents of this region were, as others, trying to rebuild their lives on a healthier basis. However, at that time, society there was badly decayed ; the economy was ruined, and many women and children in particular were suffering greatly. Savelia began a business there ; then she made connexions with a Canadian charity, through which she encouraged the sponsoring of children and families in order to help them economically and to educate the children. This was very successful, and Lydia was deeply involved in the project herself.

NASHI

The consequence of this was the development of the Canadian society, NASHI — Our Children. This society furthers the previous work of caring for children and helping them learn good living-skills and living habits. In 2009, NASHI constructed the "Maple Leaf Centre", which was to house 20 girls. It was dedicated in 2011. These girls have been rescued from extremely difficult situations — some from orphanages that were already grooming them for the sex trade. Others as young as 6 years of age have been rescued from the streets. The Maple Leaf Centre is their home and will be until they have achieved whatever educational level they desire. NASHI will provide for them until they are young adults on their own career path.

Lydia was again an active participant in all this work, because it is an organisation committed to fighting injustice both locally and globally. She was passionate about their mission, since it exemplified her life’s dedication to equality for all. Lydia would definitely encourage anyone to make a donation to NASHI. Simply consult the website, or send any contribution or letter to NASHI - Our Children at 535-8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7H 0P9.

NASHI safe-home, Maple Leaf Centre

The Holy Resurrection Parish and NASHI families were very special to Lydia. In her weakened state, she was always grateful for their visits, and for their recognising her as “matriarchal director” (“Baba supreme”) and including her in all projects. Her last public appearance was at the Canada Freedom Relay in September, 2011.

Retirement of a sort

In her very high 80s, Lydia lived in the Ilarion Retirement Residence on Louise Street, where she taught English to a Saskatchewan newcomer.

Lydia was a woman with failing eyesight, yet with remarkably clear vision far beyond her times and who could relate to every generation, young and old.

Lydia’s health became quite weak in her later years, but it did not limit her faith, her vivacity, her humour, her care for others, or her care for the world itself. She was certainly young in her heart right until the end of her earthly life. There is no doubt that she would have known exactly what to say at the time of her funeral.

Repose, 2012

On 24 January, 2012, Lydia Curniski fell asleep in the Lord in Saskatoon.

On Friday, 27 January, 2012, at 7 p.m., in Holy Resurrection Sobor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Archpriest Orest Olekshy led the Panikhida (Memorial Service) for Lydia Curniski.

On Saturday, 28 January, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., in Holy Resurrection Sobor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was served for Lydia. It was led by Archpriest Orest Olekshy, who was assisted by many other clergy and the parishioners of the Sobor.

After the conclusion of the funeral services, the body of Lydia Curniski was interred next to her husband at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon.

Grave-marker

Reflections

This biography was developed largely on the basis of articles written by Katya Szalasznyj of Saskatoon. Katya is the past and founding archivist for the Saint Arseny Archives of the Archdiocese of Canada, of The Orthodox Church in America ; and some years later, the head of its project of interviewing pioneers. Lydia Curniski was one of those interviewed.

Lydia Curniski is representative of not a few remarkable and talented women who are part of the foundation of the life of the Orthodox Christian Church throughout Canada. Each woman is unique, but their love for Christ and their love for His Church is similar. Such women did and do live out their lives in such a way that this love affects every part of every day. Their lives are and were like yeast. They are sign-posts for us all about how to follow Christ.

See the article about Savelia Curniski.

Lydia and some photos from her life

References

“The Star Phoenix” Obituary

Additional information :

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Archdiocesan listing for Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

OCA listing for Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Sobor, Saskatoon

Archdiocese of Canada web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Orthodox Church in America web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Metropolitan John (Theodorovych)

Metropolitan Mstyslav (Skrypnyk)

Metropolitan Polikarp (Sikorski)

Metropolitan Ilarion (Ohienko)

Metropolitan Michael (Khoroshy)