It is with profound sadness that the family of Agnes (Ksenia) Solaryk announce that she passed peacefully in her 96th year.

Born in Rosa, Manitoba on July 1, 1925, Agnes was the youngest of 5 children born to Anna and John Pupeza. She married John Solaryk in 1956 and together they had two children, Deborah and Allan, and lived most of her adult life in Scarborough.

Preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, John, siblings Peter (Anne) Pupeza, Mary (Steve) Smook and Joe Pupeza. She is survived by her children Deborah Solaryk (John Seagram) and Allan (Rose) Solaryk, three grandchildren Lauren, Aaron and Mikaela, brother William Pupeza, and nieces and nephews.

Agnes’ roots growing up in rural Manitoba during the Great Depression strongly influenced her most enduring qualities of strength in character, devotion to her faith, ability to live frugally and love of gardening. Without a doubt, her legacy will be that of a devoted wife and mother whose unconditional love and guidance was the bedrock for our family. She said on more than one occasion that “there is no greater love than a parent’s love for their children” and she showed us that to be true in many ways throughout her life. She was an excellent, self-taught cook, who enjoyed preparing traditional, Ukrainian meals at home and with the Women’s League and Club 50 for church functions.

In later years, Agnes relocated to Aurora and then Oakville to be near her children, during which time she battled with progressive dementia. Although those were very challenging years, they also served to strengthen the bond with her children and crystalize the importance of the values of love, devotion, family, perseverance and kindness that defined our mother.

Mom, you will be forever in our hearts and no more than a thought apart in our cherished memories.

“All that we once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us”. Helen Keller

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.