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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2017 WWW.UNWLA.ORG 27 Sofia Natalka Semanyszyn 1957–2017 On June 16, 2017, at the age of 60, Sofia (Sonia) Natalka Semanyszyn fell asleep in the Lord af- ter a long illness. Sonia was the daughter of the late Yulia and Mikholo Semanyszyn of New Jer- sey. The family moved to Kerhonkson, N.Y., in 1989 where her father worked at the UNA re- sort, Soyuzivka; it seemed only natural that Sonia would start working there as well. She was em- ployed there for over 25 years, working her way up into the main office where she did planning, bill- ing, and accounting. Sonia became a familiar fix- ture at the resort where she coordinated meetings, family events (baptisms and communions, wed- dings, anniversaries), holiday events, seminars, weekend retreats, summer camps, and dance camps run by the Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky Dance Academy. After Soyuzivka became a Ukrainian Heritage Center, Sonia also worked on the huge annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival held each July. Over the years, Sonia became the heart of Soyuzivka, interfacing with the local Ukrainian community as well as with a variety of organiza- tions that used the resort as a gathering place and event venue: Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church (of which she was a devout member), the UNA, UNF, UNWLA, PLAST, CYM, Self Reliance Federal Credit Union, and many others. Because she came to know everyone and everyone came to know her, Sonia was, in fact, nicknamed the “Ma- triarch of SZQ.” She was the connecting point who brought us all together, happily weaving us into one grand tapestry of ethnic pride and shared her- itage. Sonia also knew everything there was to know about Soyuzivka as it truly had become her second home and her vocation. If anyone had any questions about SZQ, the answer always was: “Go ask Sonia.” Sonia was generous with her time, and her networking and coordinating skills were appreci- ated by many as she worked tirelessly for our dias- pora and SZQ on many projects, such as the annual summer work programs for teenagers from Ukraine, the children’s camps, and senior re- treats. She was also the unofficial “Camp Counse- lor,” the friend to ask for advice, the shoulder to lean on for all who worked at SZQ; to their chil- dren, all of whom she loved, she was a magical and benevolent “Teta.” Sonia was one of the founding members of Branch 95, (Mid Hudson Valley, N.Y.) and served as branch president until her death. She was inval- uable in assisting and coordinating UNWLA events at SZQ. These included the “Women in the 21 st Century Conference,” a “Women’s Spa Weekend Retreat,” many UNWLA Regional and Executive meetings, and UNWLA anniversary celebrations, such as those commemorating the Holodomor and the UNWLA’s 90 th anniversary, Branch 95’s 20 th and 25 th anniversaries, and many Branch 95 holi- day parties. Sonia is survived by her cousins Oxana Wisniewski and her family of Buffalo and Mary Ann Semanyszyn and her family of Oakville, On- tario, as well as by other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sonia is also deeply mourned by her UN- WLA sisters who remember all she did as a Branch 95 member and especially as branch president, working on UNWLA initiatives and programs as well as coordinating and guiding local branch ac- tivities. She continued to work tirelessly these last two years even while enduring failing health. We have lost a dear sister and friend. Her loss is im- measurable to us, the community, and all who have worked with or have been helped by Sonia. A memorial flower garden with a pergola and bench will be created at Soyuzivka in her memory; fittingly, the garden, situated in the place she loved and cherished the most, will be filled with sunflowers, her favorite flowers. At her fu- neral, one of the people who spoke reminded us that Sonia was always addressed as Sonia, not the formal Sofia, and that this came about because of her love of “soniashnyky.” The garden will be a lovely way of keeping her spirit at SZQ. It will also serve as a living memorial to a woman who touched so many in this life, generously giving to and graciously inspiring others. Rest in God's peace, Sonia. We will remem- ber you with much love. — Your Sisters in UNWLA & Branch 95
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