BUNDZA, Natalie -
July 21, 1936 - November 24, 2023
Passed away at Toronto Grace Hospital on November 24, 2023, in her 88th year.
Left to mourn her passing are sister, Linda Bundza; nieces and nephews, Andrea, Michael, and Stefano; grand-nieces and nephews, Matthew, Nicholas, Andrew and Katie; and family members in Ukraine.
Natalie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Vasyl Iwanytzkyj; her sister, Vera Olynyk; brother-in-law, Henry (Andy) Olynyk; and niece, Joanne.
Born and raised in Toronto, Natalie was a patriotic Canadian with a lifelong commitment to the Ukrainian community.
Natalie held many leadership positions within the Ukrainian community over the years, including: President of the Ukrainian National Youth Federation; President of the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada; Board Member of the UNF Foundation; and Honourary Board Member of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada.
Natalie never missed a Ukrainian National Federation convention, attending as a delegate, and making lifelong connections across Canada.
She was present at the inception of the Ukrainian World Congress in 1967, remaining committed to its activities until her passing.
A trend setter and feminist before there was even a term for it, Natalie was the first female director of the Ukrainian Credit Union, a position she held for eighteen years.
Natalie was a staunch nationalist, and had no trouble exerting her political views, even confronting communist officials during the Cold War.
Her unique experiences in the Soviet Union were documented in a Toronto Star article in July 2015, after declassified CSIS files were presented to her.
Natalie also took great pride in the work she and her late husband completed in erecting statues of Ukraine's national bard Taras Shevchenko in over 25 sites in Ukraine.
Although she had a gregarious presence and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the many friends she made around the world, Natalie was a private person at heart, and demonstrated that her strong bond to her immediate family was always her first priority.
Vichnaya Pamyat Natalka!
Funeral will be held at the Cardinal Funeral Home Chapel (92 Annette Street) on Friday, December 1, 2023. Visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by Panachyda at 11 a.m. Burial to follow .
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