Maria Wowk

Wowk, Maria

Rochester: Loving wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother went home to Our Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2013, at the age of 88. Predeceased by her husband, Demetrius. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Mary Wolanyk, Irene (Greg) Hawryschuk,

Christine (Kenneth) Kraft; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters (in Latvia & Siberia); nieces, nephews, and friends in Erie, PA, and Rochester. She was born in Ukraine to faithful and loving parents, Michael and Maria Gadomsky, and was separated from her family during WWII. Maria met her husband Demetrius while in a labor camp. They were blessed to immigrate to the U.S. in 1949 after the perils of war. Grateful to the U.S. for their freedom, Maria was inspired by God to design the women's American national costume and dedicated it to the U.S.A. on Thanksgiving Day, 1958. Several U.S. Presidents and their wives were given these hand sewn costumes. Her artistic talents included beautiful hand painted ceramics and pysanky. Maria celebrated the Millennium, Our Lord's 2000th birthday, by decorating 2000 multicolored pysanky.

Always ready and willing to help those in need, her life as the Lord's faithful servant was evident to all who knew her. She accepted life's trials with grace and a loving heart. Her reward is now being in Our Lord's arms as He says, "Welcome home, my dear Maria."

Vichnaya Pamyat, Mama and Baba. We love you and miss you.

Her family will receive friends MONDAY, 4-7pm at the funeral home (570 Kings Hwy South). Panachyda 6:30pm. Friends are invited to meet the family TUESDAY 10:00am at St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church for her Divine Liturgy. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

To share a memory or send the family a condolence, please visit

www.harrisfuneralhome.com