Maria, the widow of war veteran Vladimir Katriuk, is doing well in spite of the loss of her great love that took place last May 22 at Barrie Memorial Hospital in Ormstown.
The Gleaner newspaper met the 88-year-old woman at her new home in Vaudreuil-Dorion last Wednesday and the woman of French origin showed an astonishing inner strength. A woman of character and still as solid as a rock, Maria Stephanie Katriuk (nee Kayun) demonstrates a resolute will to overcome the experience that has just saddened her.
Separated from the one who has been the man in her life for nearly 70 years, the woman of Ukrainian stock tells herself she is capable of dealing with the new reality. « It’s not easy, I feel his presence and Vladimir stays with me in thought but the truth must be accepted. My life has changed and I can’t do anything more about it. I must go forward ad benefit from the rest of my days, » she expressed.
Sonija Hart, the couple’s adopted granddaughter, was reassured to see the grieving lady in such a state of mind. « She is doing much better. When her husband suffered an ACV and in the days following his death, Maria was anxious. It was a bit worrying, » related the Ormstown resident, who enabled the first approach for Le St. Francois with Mrs. Katriuk.
For the author of these lines, the article resulting from that interview could not be capped with a heading as appropriate as « Ave Maria », or in the language of Moliere, « I salute you, Maria. » Especially since this believer shows her faith towards the Catholic religion without reserve. The honesty and frankness of Maria Katriuk have never created any doubt during the interview. Her refreshing spontaneity, her roguish smile and her sense of humour confer on her an engaging personality.
The octogenarian quickly lightened up the atmospher by quipping, « Eh, how much does being a mannequin pay? » after having accepted to be photographed by the representative of the journal. More seriously, Maria showed a rejoiced expression after reading the articles published in The Gleaner and relating the facts on the life of her husband. « Finally, the truth comes out, » she attested.
Her outspokenness being one of her main character traits, Maria did not hesitate to make some comments on the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. « The last time was too much. The Russians wanted to round up Vladimir for political reasons. They asked for his extradition because Canada supported the Ukraine in its recent battle with Russia, « she affirmed, corroborating the facts published by The Gleaner in its June 24th edition.
Maria is comforted that the interminable saga linked with the possible deportation of her husband is over. « It’s enough. During the last episode where the Canadian Immigration Ministry finally dropped the charges in 2007, the lawyer’s fees rose to $100,000, » she revealed. As for the recent attempt by the Russians to want to retrace the 95-year-old man, the couple’s lawyer, Orest Rudzik, simply recommended to Mrs. Katriuk that she not let herself be taken advantage of and not worry about it.
Sonija Hart, for her part, is giving herself an objective to make certain that Vladimir Katriuk receives fair treatment in the annals of history. « I will do everything so that people remember him as a hero and that he rests in peace, » she vowed.
