Oksana Z. Bodnar

On Nov. 10, 2015, Oksana Zirka Bodnar entered into eternal rest at the age of 72. Zirka was born on July 20, 1943 in Ukraine to Olha and Walter Hnatyk. As a young girl her family fled Ukraine, and came to the United States. She received her US citizenship on Jan 3, 1954 at the age of 12. As a young girl, Zirka grew up in Newark and later Irvington NJ. Her summers were spent in Hunter and Lake George, NY and she attended the first Plast Camp in Vocvcha Tropa in East Chatham NY, She enjoyed playing the piano, swimming and water skiing. In 1964, Zirka met the love of her life, Ihor Wasyl Bodnar. He was a grad student earning his teaching degree at Seton Hall University. She was attaining a psychology BA at Rutgers University in Newark. They married July 23, 1966 and moved to Maplewood, NJ where she raised two "obedient" and loving sons, Mark and Paul Bodnar. Oksana Zirka Bodnar became an elementary school teacher instructing the 4th grade and later worked at the Self Reliance Credit Union in NJ. She lived for the Opera. She said "Opera is life." At an older age, she continued to drive to NYC and never looked back. She attended countless Operas and cultural events and brought her love of the theater and strong opinions wherever she went. Zirka is survived by her sons Mark and Paul. Three grandkids, Sasha, Melasia, Inka and a host of relatives and friends. iance Credit Union in NJ