Antonina Kryzaniwskyj

Antonina Kryzaniwskyj, of Sanford, MI, died peacefully Friday, September 23, 2011 in her home with family at her side. Born Antonina Wdowychenko in Kiev, Ukraine, on Feb 2, 1925, she was separated from her parents, Anna (Kuczer) and Fedir, a brother and a sister in 1939 when the German army invaded Ukraine. She was captured and taken to Germany forced as farming labor.

On March 18, 1945, she married Ewhen Kryzaniwskyj, another forced labor survivor from Ukraine in Germany among the sounds of bombshells during the final defeat of the Nazis by Allied Forces not knowing if this was the first and the last day as a married couple. The couple lived in displaced-persons camps in Germany for a couple years before immigrating to Venezuela. They arrived with few belongings and little money. The couple eventually gained sponsorship and immigrated to Hamtramck, MI USA in 1959. The couple moved to Sanford, Michigan in 1995. Her husband predeceased her in 2006.

Antonina was known to everyone as "Baba", the friendly and loving mother filled with caring across 4 generations of family. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Agnes of Sanford. She was an avid member of the Ukrainian Cultural Center. She played a major role in establishing the Ukrainian Youth Organization in both Venezuela and the Detroit area.

She appreciated life and reminded us all that freedom is not to be for granted; with an inspiration of compassion, generosity, and lesson of perseverance to all. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, sewing, making jewelry and giving of these talents to bring joy to others. She also shared her wisdom and stories with the children and grandchildren who she absolutely adored.

She is survived by sons Wasyl Kryzaniwskyj of S. Carolina, Peter (Lorrain) Kryzaniwskyj of Warren; daughters Thania (Richard) Sadler of Sanford, Anastasia (Steve) Hershauer of Midland, Nadia (Todd) Aubry of Waterford; son-in-law Brett Aubry of Gaylord. 15 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren; brother, Petro Wdowychenko (Ukraine); and cousin Anna Sura of Australia. She was predeceased by Anna Kryzaniwskyj (daughter) and Mary Kryzaniwskyj (daughter-in-law) in addition to her husband, Ewhen.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Monday September 26, 2011 at St. Agnes Church in Sanford. Fr. Dan Fox OFM Cap will officiate. The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A Christian Wake Service will take place Sunday evening 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Hospice of Mid-Michigan. or St. Agnes Catholic Church of Sanford. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com. We would also like to thank all of the staff of Mid-Michigan Hospice for their help and support.