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Stella Yusko
February 27, 2012
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<div itemprop="description">YUSKO, Stella (nee Kowalchuk) Peacefully passed on February 27th, 2012 in her 90th year at Markham-Stouffville Hospital. Born March 28th, 1022 in Ukraine, and following her father, Stella and her mother immigrated to Canada, where the family settled in Thorold. As a member of the Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, Stella found joy playing her mandolin. Given her interest in music, she amended dances in the community where, in 1941, she met her future husband Walter, a talented self-taught musician who played regularly in the local bands. They married on August 21, 1943 and moved to Toronto, working for The Toronto Star. In 1950 Stella and Walter in partnership started a steel fabrication business (O'Connor Fuel Tanks), selling in 1997. With a thriving business in Toronto they purchased farmland on Kennedy Road in Markham (Stouffville) in 1958. Subsequent land acquisitions prompted their interest to purchase registered Hereford cattle. Thus Almira Hereford Farms began its success over the next few decades as one of the top herds in Ontario. Growing up as a typical city girl, Stella adapted to country life after the family moved to the farm in August of 1963. In June of 1954 Stella and Walter purchased lovely waterfront property on Georgian Bay, north of Parry Sound. She would spend summers there with her small children and on weekends Walter would join them for fishing and picnics in the surrounding area. Stella and Walter travelled extensively throughout Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. In 1979 they bought acreage in Sarasota, Florida and would spend the winter month tending to all of their fruit trees, banana trees and peanuts. Family, friends and business associates would join them. Stella is predeceased by her husband Walter (1997), her father Paul Kowalchuk (1991) and her mother Annie (1985). Survived by daughter Marian and her husband Paul Glover, Evelyn and her husband Richard, Jane and her husband Lee. &quot;Baba&quot; will be lovingly missed by her grandchildren Wendy, Nancy (Simon), Rob (Dawn), Rick (Jennifer) and James (Jordeyn) and great grandchildren Matthew, Holly, Lily, Alexandra, Jessica, Briana, Sophia and Emily. Cremation has taken place and a private interment will take place at a later date. At Stella's request, donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart &amp; Stroke Foundation or Markham-Stouffville Hospital. The family will host a simple Celebration of Life for Stella at the ELGIN MILLS CEMETERY AND VISITATION CENTRE, 1591 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill (east of Leslie St., 905-737-1720) on Saturday, March 10th 2012 from 2-5 p.m.</div>