IN MEMORIAM: Valerie Lysenko
Blessed Memory of Valerie Lysenko (née Latyshko):
100 Years of Grace and Strength, Faith, Love, and Devotion
September 27, 1925 – September 24, 2025
Valerie Lysenko was born on September 27, 1925, the feast day of the Nativity of the Theotokos by the Old Calendar. Through the storms, trials, and struggles of her century-long journey, Valerie and her family were shielded by the intercessions of the Theotokos—giving her the strength to endure, the hope to rebuild many times, and the faith to continue forward.
She was born in Odessa, Ukraine, into a family of educators and landowners. Her grandparents and parents were highly educated, teachers by profession, and prosperous farmers by livelihood. They lived well—until the brutal years of Stalin’s regime, when Ukraine’s educated and landowning classes were targeted as kurkuli. Her father was blacklisted for marrying into a family condemned as kurkuli, forcing them to move many times—from Odessa to Mykolaiv, Kherson, Yampil, and Marbuda—before finally fleeing the oncoming Russian forces.
By the age of eight, Valerie was already struggling to survive the horrors of the Holodomor, the man-made famine of 1932–33. She remembered hunger, cold, and neighbors who did not survive. Yet she also remembered her parents’ determination that, no matter how difficult, their children would still receive an education. Both her mother and father were highly educated, and they instilled in Valerie a love of learning and a dream of becoming a doctor or dentist. She excelled in school, especially in mathematics, and earned top marks even during the most uncertain years.
Her family included two brothers. The elder, born in 1923, was conscripted into the army at only sixteen, leaving a deep impression on her young heart. Already, she knew the meaning of sacrifice.
As war raged and the Russian front advanced, Valerie’s family was forced to flee their home in Marbuda, only a few kilometers from the Russian border. They began a desperate odyssey of survival—moving from town to town, border to border, enduring hunger, exhaustion, and danger. Tragedy struck in Czechoslovakia, where her beloved father was shot. Valerie and her brother were forced to bury him with their own hands and, with unimaginable strength, continue the journey with their grieving mother. Their path carried them through Hungary, Poland, Austria, and finally into Germany, arriving just as World War II was drawing to a close. Cold, hunger, fear, and grief marked those years—yet Valerie carried herself with quiet resilience, never losing her faith in God’s providence.
In Mittenwald, Germany, against all odds, she completed her schooling and determined to rebuild her future despite devastation. It was there she met her future husband. Eventually, she was granted permission to emigrate to Canada, leaving ahead of her husband, who would follow later.
Her first landing was in London, England, then on to Gander, Newfoundland, with a brief stop in Montreal before being transported directly to Ottawa. There she was assigned work as a domestic helper—providence placing her in the home of a cultured woman who taught English to foreign government officials. This gave Valerie the gift of quickly mastering English, which would serve her for life.
When her husband later arrived in Canada, she was transferred closer to him so they could be together. By 1950, the young couple had made their way to Toronto, saved carefully, and bought their first home. Life seemed full of promise—until it unraveled. Valerie’s marriage broke down; she and her husband separated. Expecting her second daughter, Valerie suddenly found herself truly on her own.
Life was not always easy. She carried the full weight of responsibility—providing food, shelter, stability, love, and faith for her two daughters. She began working at Future Fuel Ltd., a Ukrainian-owned company, where she dedicated more than 35 years of service as an accountant until her retirement at age 72. Though she never became the dentist she once dreamed of, she put herself through school in accounting and business while raising her family. She built a career of integrity, reliability, and meticulous skill, earning the respect of all who worked with her.
Her greatest devotion, however, was to her daughters. Valerie poured all of her energy into ensuring Mary and Lila not only received a good education—both completing graduate degrees—but were also deeply rooted in their Ukrainian faith and culture. She enrolled them in Ukrainian school, dance, choirs, youth groups, summer camps, and parish life. Music was non-negotiable: both studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music. For Valerie, every sacrifice was worth it. Her daughters would grow up strong in faith, proud of their heritage, and prepared for life.
Valerie was also a master craftswoman—a tailor, seamstress, and embroiderer. She created Ukrainian costumes for her daughters, for other children, and for countless parish and community events. From embroidered vyshyvanky to intricate crochet, every stitch carried her love of beauty and culture.
From her arrival in Toronto in 1950, Valerie made St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral her spiritual home. She devoted decades of faithful service to the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, Kniahynia Olha Branch, serving as Financial Secretary, Vice-President, Bazaar Head, and tireless organizer. Whether leading pierogi-making for hundreds, coordinating cultural exhibits, or preparing humanitarian aid for Ukraine, she worked with grace, diplomacy, and quiet authority. Her meticulous records, tireless work ethic, and warm smile earned her admiration and trust.
She also represented Ukrainian culture beyond church walls—at schools, museums, festivals, and especially the Toronto International Caravan Festival—always dressed with elegance and speaking with pride of her homeland. Her dedication was honored with numerous awards from the Canadian government and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
And yet, she remained humble, approachable, and kind. Her lifelong friendship with the late Lidia Liber was a gift of mutual love and joy—together they walked High Park, attended concerts, worked at the Cathedral, played cards, and supported each other through life’s many seasons.
In her later years, Valerie embraced her greatest joy—being “Babtsya” to Ryan and Lincoln. They adored her as much as she adored them. Even at age 90, she was sliding down playground tube slides, teaching them how to milk goats, and planting vegetables with them. To them, she was not only a beloved Babtsya, but also their playmate, teacher, and hero.
Family and faith were always the twin pillars of Valerie’s life. She loved her daughters with unshakable devotion, her son-in-law Nick, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She created a warm and welcoming home. Her faith was her compass in hardship and blessing alike.
Valerie placed her trust always in God. Admired for her strength, dignity, and tireless service, she lived her life faithfully—to her family, her church, her culture, and her Lord.
Now, having reached the fullness of her earthly pilgrimage, Valerie knew when to take her final bow. With the serenity of one who had faithfully completed her earthly journey, she quietly yielded her spirit into the hands of the Lord. Like the faithful handmaiden in the prayers of the Orthodox Church, she departed in hope of the Resurrection, embraced by the prayers of the Mother of God, and commended to the mercy of Christ.
Valerie passed away doing what she loved most—sharing fellowship. After a lovely day with her daughter—making autumn wreaths, visiting the beauty salon, enjoying dinner—she welcomed a dear friend into her home. In the midst of conversation, she quietly slipped away with a final sigh, into the arms of her Lord.
Valerie—mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, cousin, friend. An extraordinary woman, an extraordinary life.
She leaves behind her devoted daughter, Lila, and son-in-law Nick Scott; most tenderly, “the boys” Ryan and Lincoln Scott, who lovingly knew her simply as Babtsya. Her cherished grandchildren, Laura Scott, Douglas Scott, and wife Katie. Brother Nicholas Latyshko and wife Olenka; nephew Andrew Latyshko and great-nephews Ivan and Stepan; niece Natalie Waschuk and husband Zenko Waschuk, great-nephew Anton and wife Iryna and baby Cornelius; niece Kalyna and husband Isaac Callan; cousin Tayisia and husband Leonid Terenchenko; niece Marina and husband Alex Dubovitskyj. She was predeceased by her eldest daughter, Mary Lysenko (1998), and her best friend Lidia Liber (2021).
Also grieving this loss is a cherished extended family: Penny (Scott) Nyburg and husband Lee Nyburg; Emily, Ryan, Nico, and Luca.; Ian, Gabriella, and Baby Rory. Olya Marcus (Liber) and family. Several Godchildren and many dear friends.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Ridley Funeral Home, 3080 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1K3. 416-259-3705. - www.ridleyfuneralhome.com
