Obituary of Anna Wityk

May 10, 1936 - Turia, Ukraine

March 26, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Anna (Plisz) Wityk was born May 10, 1926 in Turia, Sambir, Ukraine. She had an older brother and two younger sisters. Her father Stanley served as a soldier in WWI, and her mother Ksenia died of typhus when Anna was 5 years old.  

During WWII, at age 15, Anna was forced to work watching 3 young boys in Germany. She was treated well and saved the life of the youngest boy during a bombing.  At age 19, she received a letter from her father that her brother John died while being forced to dig ditches for the Germans. When Anna wrote back, her letters were returned; she eventually learned her village had been attacked and burned down, with any survivors being sent to camps in Siberia.

After the war, Anna worked in a mess tent for American soldiers and later worked serving beer and hot dogs for the Red Cross. This was a fantastic time of her life and she enjoyed going to dances and spending time with friends. Later, Anna went to a displaced persons camp in Cornberg, and that is where she met Osyp (Joe) Wityk. They married in 1948 and had their first son Stefan (Steve) 9 months later.

Joe, Anna and Steve immigrated to Canada by ship in 1950, landing in Halifax and travelling to Taber to work in the sugar beet fields. Later, they moved to Calgary, living in Bridgeland near family and friends. Anna and Joe had their second son, Terry, in 1959. Anna enjoyed baking at a coffee shop and at the bus depot, as well as cleaning at a hotel and the courthouse. Joe and Anna helped bring other family members to Canada and were active in their church and Ukrainian community.

Anna retired to take care of her granddaughter Tracy in 1979. She spent over 40 years enjoying time with eventually 4 generations of family, showing her love in many ways, most notably great conversations and amazing food. Joe, Anna, their sons and wives all lived in the duplex that Joe built.  She was very proud of her sons and granddaughter and cherished any time that they spent together. Anna was thrilled to live long enough to get to know her great-grandchildren Constantine and Brielle, and thought they were unusually smart and kind.  She had a strong faith and prayed each night before bed. Anna was a sweet, fun, loving and generous wife, mother, Baba, Pra-Baba and friend.  

Anna is survived by her two sons, Steve (Kay) and Terry (Lorie); her granddaughter Tracy (Chad), and great-grandchildren, Constantine and Brielle. Her family misses her deeply, but are happy to have had Anna in their lives and are grateful for the amazing times they shared together. Anna loved and was loved by so many.

Thank you for joining us to remember Anna Wityk. She would say to love God and your family and that there will always be dishes to wash, but time passes and is meant to be enjoyed now. Please enjoy flowers, baking, coffee, a good hug or a hearty laugh in her memory.

In living memory of Anna Wityk, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.