Maria Babij

WILLIMANTIC

Maria Babij, 97, beloved wife of the late Andrij Babij passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024 at her home in Willimantic. She was born on February 24, 1927 in Koniw, Ukraine, the daughter of the late Wasyl and Anna (Lytwyn) Kopyliak.

During the German invasion of Ukraine during World War II, at the age of 15 she was taken as forced labor to work on a farm in Germany. At the close of the war, she met her future husband Andrij in a displaced persons (DP) camp in Gttingen, Germany, where they were married in 1946. In 1947, they emigrated to England. Soon Maria added English to the 4 languages she was already conversationally fluent in: Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and German.

She first worked at the Queens Laundry, then on a farm in Kent. Afterwards the family moved to North London, where she worked at a factory, cared for her family, and was active in the small Ukrainian community.

In 1958, the family started a new life in the US, settling in Willimantic where they already had friends from the DP camp in Germany. She worked at the American Thread Company, Electro-Motive, and finally as a custodian at Windham High School. She often remarked that, although she might not enjoy the work, she enjoyed the people. That was especially true of the students she crossed paths with at Windham High.

Maria loved to sing and had a strong beautiful voice. She was a key person in the church choir for many years at St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Willimantic. She was very active in many local Ukrainian organizations, often taking a leadership role. She was known for her generosity and positive spirit. When involved with any out-of-town meetings her pride in her local community would show itself by her declaring Willimantic is the best. Her special joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

She will be missed by all.

She is survived by her son, Eugene and his wife, Lana, of Manchester, and their daughters, Larissa and Natalie and her husband, Ryan. She also leaves an extended family in Ukraine. Maria was predeceased by her husband Andrij in 2004.

Her Panakhyda Service will be held Tuesday, March 19, at 9:30 a.m., at the Bacon Funeral Home, 71 Prospect St., Willimantic, followed by a procession to St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Willimantic for the celebration of her Funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Windham. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Monday, from 6-8 p.m., with a Panakhyda Service at 7 p.m.

We would like to express our deep and heartfelt gratitude to Maria's caregivers, in particular Halya from Kyiv and Halya from Kolomya.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church 70 Oak St, Willimantic, CT 06226 or St. MaryUkrainian Catholic Church 178 Linwood Ave, Colchester, CT 06415

To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit www.baconfh.com

Maria Babij