Honoring Our Beloved Natalya: Funeral Support

Hello everyone, my name is Karyna Dianka.

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this message on behalf of my family. On Friday, we lost our beloved grandma Natalya, a woman whose strength, kindness, and resilience have been an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She passed away at the age of 75 in St. Boniface Hospital. While her exact diagnosis remains uncertain, doctors believe it was cancer that had progressed too far to be treated.

Grandma’s life was marked by love, resilience, and a deep devotion to her family. When the war in Ukraine escalated in 2022, she made the brave decision to leave her lifelong home in Donetsk and reunite with us in Canada. This journey was not easy—she travelled through multiple countries, often relying on the kindness of different people to navigate unfamiliar places. She didn’t speak any language other than Russian and Ukrainian, yet her determination and grace inspired so many people along the way.

From the support of good people in Finland who offered shelter and assistance, to the volunteers who helped transport her safely to Poland, to the warm welcome she received from our relatives in Paris—every step of her journey was a testament to the power of human kindness. Finally, she arrived in Canada, where she began building a new chapter of her life with us.

Though her time here was far too short, we are grateful for the precious moments we shared with her. She was a source of wisdom, humor, and unconditional love, and we will cherish those memories forever. Her passing has left a void in our hearts, but we are comforted by the knowledge that she was surrounded by love and care in her final moments.

We are now asking for help to cover the unexpected medical bills, as well as the costs of her funeral and memorial. It is our wish to honor her legacy in a way that reflects her strength, kindness, and the remarkable journey she undertook to be with us.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, will help us give her the farewell she deserves and support our family during this incredibly difficult time. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there for us, for thinking of us, and for helping us give grandma the love and dignity she deserves in her passing. It is in times like these that we are reminded of the incredible power of community and love.

With gratitude,

Karyna Dianka

On behalf of my family

One of the warm moments together.